By Iminza Keboge
Published November 21, 2021
Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) has announced the finalists in its annual awards to celebrate women business leaders and entrepreneurs in Africa.
Twenty-four women founders and entrepreneurs from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Egypt, Mali, Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa have been selected as top finalists for the 2021 AWIEF Awards.
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The AWIEF Awards winners will be announced at a ceremony and gala dinner on December 3, 2021, following on from the 2021 AWIEF Conference to be be held at Marriot Hotel Melrose Arch in Johannesburg, South Africa.
“AWIEF remains steadfast in its efforts to promote and support women entrepreneurship development and innovation in Africa. With the AWIEF Awards, we identify and shine the spotlight on inspirational women entrepreneurs and innovators, driving growth for Africa,” said Irene Ochem, AWIEF Founder and Chief Executive Officer.
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The finalists for the 2021 AWIEF Awards are:
Young Entrepreneur Award
- Phyllis Addo, Co-Director, Rhema Engineering Solutions (Ghana)
- Tao Boyle, Co-founder and COO, FoondaMate (South Africa)
- Alexandria Procter, Co-founder and CEO, DigsConnect.com (South Africa)
Tech Entrepreneur Award
- Ivy Barley, Co-founder, Developers in Vogue Foundation (Ghana)
- Evelyn Kaiingu, CEO, Lupiya (Zambia)
- Kathryn Malherbe, CEO, Medsol AI Solutions (South Africa)
Social Entrepreneur Award
- Gudula Naiga Basaza, Managing Director, Gudie Leisure Farm (Uganda)
- Zandile Mkhwanazi and Tinyiko Simbine, Co-founders, GirlCode (South Africa)
- Angela Juliana Odero, Managing Director, Rio Fish Ltd (Kenya)
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Agri Entrepreneur Award
- Hadia M. Gondji, Founder and Managing Director, Hadiya Seed Production and Agro Industry Plc (Ethiopia)
- Jo-andra Cloete Greegory, CEO, Our Poultry Place (South Africa)
- Fortunatha Mmari, Co-Founder and Managing Director, AFCO Investment Co. Ltd (Tanzania)
Creative Industry Award
- Cynthia Asije, Creative Director, The Adirelounge (Nigeria)
- Nadia Takyiwaa-Mensah, Founder and CEO, Sai Wine Café (Ghana)
- Susan Wanjiru, Founder and Creative Lead, Lockhem Kids Entertainment (Kenya)
Energy Entrepreneur Award
- Ifeoma Malo, CEO, Clean Technology Hub (Nigeria)
- Tumi Mphahlele, Founder and Director, Amperion Energy (South Africa)
- Josephine Takundwa, CEO, Earthlink Technologies (Zimbabwe)
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Empowerment Award
- Jackie Bomboma, Founder and CEO, Young Strong Mothers Foundation (Tanzania)
- Djénéba Gory, Co-founder and COO, Suadela (Mali)
- Gehad Hamdy, Founder and Manager, Speak Up (Egypt)
Lifetime Achievement Award
- Margaret Hirsch, Co-founder and Executive Director, Hirsch’s Homestores (South Africa)
- Tabitha Karanja, Founder and CEO, Keroche Breweries (Kenya)
- Lucia Quachey, Founder and President, Ghana Association of Women Entrepreneurs (Ghana)
