Finalists Announced for the 2020 AWIEF Awards

Pan-African entrepreneurship and innovation non-profit, the Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) has today announced the top finalists for the 2020 edition of its AWIEF Awards; that recognize, honor and celebrate Women Entrepreneurs and Business Owners in Africa and across industry sectors, for their economic performance and contribution to Africa’s growth and social development.

Promoting and supporting excellence in entrepreneurship and innovation amongst women-owned businesses in all sectors and across all 54 African countries, is the aim of AWIEF which hosts its sixth edition of the Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum Conference in a virtual event from 2nd to 3rd December 2020.

The event is one of Africa’s largest and most prestigious women entrepreneurship platform and this year it will be held under the theme “Reimagining business and rebuilding better.” hoping to bring together pan-African and global stakeholders to engage inspiring industry experts and thought leaders through keynote presentations, panel discussions, and testimonials.

24 women founders and entrepreneurs, driving economic growth and development for Africa, have been selected as finalists for 2020 AWIEF Awards, from different African countries, across 8 different categories.

AWIEF Founder and CEO; Irene Ochem in a press statement said, “It is vital to acknowledge and celebrate women entrepreneurs in Africa for their leadership and innovation. The impact of the global pandemic has been disproportionate and devastating, and women are showing exceptional resilience.”

The finalists for this year’s AWIEF Awards are:

Young Entrepreneur Award

1. Sazia Souza, Managing Partner, Technoplus (Mozambique).
2. Hannah Lavery, Founder, Hannah Lavery (South Africa).
3. Olajumoke Odumola, Founder and CEO, KJK Online Communications (Nigeria).
4. Asomaniwaa Owusu-Ansah, Founder and Chief Pharmacist, Erith Health Services (Ghana).

Tech Entrepreneur Award

1. Claudette Akinpaye, Founder and Managing Director, Agrizilla (Rwanda).
2. Marlize Holtzhausen, Founder and CEO, Response24 (South Africa).
3. Abimbola Adebakin, CEO, Advantage Health (Nigeria).

Social Entrepreneur Award

1. Rita Stryker, CEO, Willette Safehouse (Liberia).
2. Adenike Akinsemola, Founder and Director, The Green Institute (Nigeria).
3. Doris Mollel, Founder and Executive Director, Doris Mollel Foundation (Tanzania).
4. Mariam Mell’Osiime Mpaata, Founder and CEO, Junior Stars Youth Development Programme (Kenya).

Agri Entrepreneur Award

1. Victoria Mwafulirwa, Managing Director, Homes Industries (Malawi).
2. Jacqueline Mukashyaka, Chief Executive Officer, Champion Grocers (Rwanda).
3. Armelle Sidje Tamo, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, PRA (Product Related to Agricultural Sector (Cameroun).

Creative Industry Award

1. Hannellie Coetzee, Visual Artist, Wild Wall Tiles/Hannelie Coetzee (South Africa).
2. Ayanfe Olarinde, Lulu Arts and UnEarthical (Nigeria).
3. Alice Muyambo, Visual Artist, Fortitude Arts Gallery (Zambia).

Energy Entrepreneur Award

1. Enoyonam Mosia, Co-founder, Easy Solar (Sierra Leone).
2. Amma Serwah Boateng, Co-founder, Destra Energy Group (Ghana).

Empowerment Award.

1. Porcho Marguerite Sogoba, CEO, MUSODEV (Mali).
2. Nasreen Aleey, Founder and CEO, Afrikapu (Kenya).
3. Qabale Duba, Founder and CEO, Qabale Duba Foundation (Kenya).

Lifetime Achievement Award

1. Robyn de Villiers, Chairman and CEO, BCW Africa (South Africa).
2. Daisy Molefhi, Founder and Executive Director, ABM University College (Botswana).