The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) hosted a spectacular celebration of African women’s excellence at the 2025 AWIEF Awards, held on Friday in South Africa.
The gala honoured women entrepreneurs and leaders driving innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth across the continent. Eight exceptional winners were announced, each representing the transformative power of women-led initiatives in Africa.
Since its inception in 2016, the AWIEF Awards have been a beacon of recognition and inspiration for women in business and leadership. Beyond celebrating success, the Awards aim to empower the next generation of innovators and changemakers, fostering a vibrant pan-African community of collaboration and impact.
This year’s winners and finalists came from across Africa, showcasing diverse industries including technology, agriculture, energy, creative arts, and social entrepreneurship — united by a shared vision of advancing Africa’s growth through innovation.
The Awards followed the two-day AWIEF2025 Conference, which attracted over 500 delegates from 50+ countries for engaging discussions, exhibition, masterclasses, and networking sessions. The event concluded with the highly anticipated awards gala dinner, marking a fitting finale to two days of knowledge sharing and inspiration.
The 2025 AWIEF Awards Winners are:
- Young Entrepreneur Award – (Norah Kimathi – Zerobionic, Kenya)
- Empowerment Award – (Mampho Sotshongaye – Golden Rewards 1981, South Africa)
- Energy Entrepreneur Award – (Nidal Tafah – MIRRIAH, Morocco)
- Creative Industry Award – (Soraya da Piedade – Soraya da Piedade LDA, Angola)
- Social Entrepreneur Award – (Farana Boodhram – MiDesk Global, South Africa)
- Agri Entrepreneur Award (Sponsored by OCP Africa) – (Linda Davis – Giraffe Bioenergy, Kenya)
- Tech Entrepreneur Award – (Maryanne Gichanga – AgriTech Analytics, Kenya)
- Lifetime Achievement Award – (Audrey Joe-Ezigbo – CEO, Falcon Corporation, Nigeria)
- Voices of the Winners
For Soraya da Piedade, founder of Soraya da Piedade LDA and winner of the Creative Industry Award, the recognition marks a defining moment in her journey as a designer and entrepreneur.
She said: “I’m deeply honoured and grateful to AWIEF for creating platforms like this, where we celebrate women’s creativity and leadership. This award reminds me that when we create from a place of passion and purpose, we not only build brands but also inspire others to dream bigger.”
From Kenya, founder and CEO of Giraffe Bioenergy and winner of the Agri Entrepreneur Award, Linda Davis, described the moment as “surreal.”
“It’s my first time winning an award like this, and I am beyond excited,” said Davis. “AWIEF has given women like me a powerful space to share our work, connect with others, and be recognized for driving change in our communities. This win belongs to every woman farmer and entrepreneur working to build a sustainable Africa.”
This year’s AWIEF Awards finalists included inspiring women from across Africa — from tech innovators in Botswana and Uganda to social impact leaders in Somalia, Kenya, and Zimbabwe — highlighting the depth and diversity of women’s entrepreneurial excellence on the continent.
