Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF), has selected 22 women entrepreneurs as finalists in its annual awards in a move to promote excellence in entrepreneurship and innovation amongst women-owned businesses across Africa.
The Awards take place on the last evening of the two-day event, October 29-30, 2019, in Cape Town.
The 22 women founders and entrepreneurs have been selected as finalists, from different African countries, across 8 different categories. The AWIEF Awards Panel of Judges is made up of high-calibre industry experts and thought leaders spread across the continent.
According to Irene Ochem, AWIEF Founder and Chief Executive Officer. “Women-owned businesses are growing on the continent and are a vital part of Africa’s future and contributing to the fact that seven out of 10 of the fastest growing economies in the world, are to be found in Africa. Africa is rising and we must make sure the women of the continent, the backbone of our communities and our families, are given the opportunities to rise as well.”
The 22 were selected from over 200 shortlists for consideration and will be showcased to top investors signing up for its upcoming Award Programme Subscription that will be launched in 2020 to help identify the best female start-ups in Africa across key industries such as Agri, Tech, FinTech, Chemicals and Healthcare.
The finalists for the 2019 AWIEF Awards are:
YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR AWARD
Beatrice Haule, AfriAgric Products (Tanzania)
Lola Alli, Lagos Executive Cardiovascular Clinic (Nigeria)
Ola (Orekunrin) Brown, Flying Doctors (Nigeria)
TECH ENTREPRENEUR AWARD
Caroline Corbett, SmartBlade (South Africa)
Rebecca Enonchong, AppsTech (Cameroun)
Diane Temogne, Engineering Consulting and Services (Cameroun)
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR AWARD
Sizani Ngubane, Rural Women’s Movement (South Africa)
Efua Asibon, Dislabelled (Ghana)
Laurence Esteve, Zip Zap (South Africa)
GLOBAL BRAND AWARD
Shantelle Booysen, Elim Spa Products (South Africa)
AGRI ENTREPRENEUR AWARD
Evelyn Namara, Vouch Digital (Uganda)
Caroline Pomeyie, ProFish (Ghana)
Affiong Williams, ReelFruit (Nigeria)
EMPOWERMENT AWARD
Mary Inzofu, Njia Empowerment Organisation (Kenya)
Nambula Kachumi, WeCreate (Zambia)
Charlot Magayi, Mukuru Clean Stoves (Kenya)
CREATIVE INDUSTRY AWARD
Kapasa Musonda, Mangishi Doll Co. (Zambia)
Genet Kebede, Paradise Fashion (Ethiopia)
Abby Ikomi, House of Irawo (Nigeria)
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Kristine Pearson, Lifeline Energy (South Africa)
Oumou Sangaré, Festival International du Wassulu (Mali)
Joke Silva, LUFODO Group (Nigeria)
The AWIEF Awards winners will be announced at a gala dinner on 30 October 2019, following on from the 2019 AWIEF Conference and Exhibition taking place on 29-30 October 2019 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town. The theme this year is: ‘Enhancing impact: digitalisation, investment and intra-Africa trade’.
Sponsors this year include: Shell, CTA, Nedbank, Bank of Industry Nigeria, AGRA, and City of Cape Town. Frost & Sullivan is AWIEF Awards Auditing Partner.
