AWIEF Awards AWIEF Awards
Sector AgnosticNot Applicable

AWIEF Awards 2025

Honouring innovation, leadership, and impact across eight award categories

Organizer: Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum
Deadline: July 16, 2025
Category: Competition
Regions: Rwanda, Burundi, Liberia, Tanzania, Benin, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Sudan, Central African Republic, Djibouti, South Africa, Madagascar, Tunisia, Gambia, Togo, Equatorial Guinea, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Botswana, Mozambique, Comoros, Mauritius, Morocco, Ghana, Algeria, Chad, Cabo Verde, Namibia, Somalia, Niger, Seychelles, Congo, Zimbabwe, Senegal, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Mali, Eritrea, South Sudan, Egypt, Gabon, Malawi, Angola, Eswatini, Uganda, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Lesotho, Ethiopia, Sao Tome & Principe, Libya, Zambia, DR Congo
Back to All Opportunities

The 2025 edition of the AWIEF Awards is now accepting nominations, providing a prestigious platform to honour African women who are making remarkable strides in entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation. This annual celebration, launched in 2016, has consistently recognized trailblazing women creating meaningful social and economic impact across the continent. The awards ceremony will take place on 31 October 2025 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) in South Africa.

Overview of the AWIEF Awards

The Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) Awards were established to spotlight and celebrate exceptional women leaders and entrepreneurs. Through this platform, AWIEF aims to:

  • Recognize excellence in women-led ventures and leadership.
  • Inspire emerging generations by sharing impactful stories of resilience and innovation.
  • Elevate the visibility of influential female entrepreneurs and changemakers.
  • Promote inclusive, sustainable development aligned with Africa’s growth objectives.
  • Encourage scalable, impact-driven solutions to Africa’s socio-economic challenges.
  • Build a vibrant, pan-African community of women leaders and innovators.

Award Categories

Nominations are accepted across eight distinct categories, designed to reflect the diverse sectors where African women are making a difference:

  • Young Entrepreneur Award – For outstanding entrepreneurs under 35.
  • Tech Entrepreneur Award – Recognizing innovation and success in the tech sector.
  • Agri Entrepreneur Award – For achievements in agricultural entrepreneurship.
  • Creative Industry Award – Honouring women transforming the creative and cultural sectors.
  • Empowerment Award – For initiatives that advance gender equality and women’s empowerment.
  • Energy Entrepreneur Award – Celebrating leadership in energy innovation and access.
  • Social Entrepreneur Award – For impact-driven ventures addressing social challenges.
  • Lifetime Achievement Award – Recognizing long-term commitment and exceptional contributions to entrepreneurship and development in Africa.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the AWIEF Awards, nominees must meet the following requirements:

  • Be women entrepreneurs, founders, co-founders, or organizational leaders operating in Africa.
  • Be at least 18 years of age at the time of nomination.
  • Have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and initiative in their field.
  • Show evidence of tangible impact such as business growth, sector disruption, or community engagement.
  • Contribute to socio-economic development, sustainability, or gender equality on the continent.

Application Process

Interested candidates or nominators should follow these steps:

  1. Verify Eligibility – Ensure the nominee meets all outlined criteria.
  2. Create an Account – Register and log in to access the application portal.
  3. Complete the Application Form – Applicants may save progress and return to the form as needed.
  4. Submit Before Deadline – Applications can be edited and updated until the closing date.

Important Dates

  • Nominations Open: 2 June 2025
  • Nomination Deadline: 17 July 2025
  • Winners Announced: 31 October 2025, at the CTICC in Cape Town, South Africa

Meet the 2025 Panel of Judges

An esteemed panel of judges from across Africa and beyond will assess the applications:

  • Olawale Anifowose – Director of Programs & Partnerships, Enterprise Development Centre, Pan-Atlantic University (Nigeria)
  • Camila Kaul – Founder, Hey Brandee (USA)
  • Latanya White – Founder & Creator, Dynastic Wealth (USA)
  • Grace Safoa Buaka – Partner, Oasis Capital (Ghana)
  • Seja Kekana – Principal, Africa Infrastructure Finance, Nedbank (South Africa)

The AWIEF Awards continue to provide an influential platform for acknowledging and amplifying the work of Africa’s most innovative and impactful women leaders. With nominations now open, the initiative offers a valuable opportunity to celebrate female entrepreneurship and leadership shaping the continent’s future. Interested parties are encouraged to explore the nomination process and join in recognizing excellence across Africa.