AWIEF Opens Nominations for 2026 Awards Honouring Women Entrepreneurs Across Africa
Awards to Recognise Female Founders, Business Leaders and Introduce New Male Ally Award; Winners to Be Announced in Cape Town in November 2026
The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) has opened nominations for the AWIEF Awards 2026, inviting entries to recognise women entrepreneurs and business leaders across Africa. Established in 2017, the awards honour women driving entrepreneurship, innovation, employment and economic development across the continent.
The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) has announced the opening of nominations for the AWIEF Awards 2026, which recognise the achievements of female founders and business leaders operating across Africa.
Since its establishment in 2017, the AWIEF Awards have recognised women entrepreneurs and leaders who have built businesses, advanced innovation, created employment opportunities and contributed to Africa's economic growth while highlighting the role of women in the continent's development.
According to AWIEF, the awards categories have been refined for the 2026 edition to reflect developments in Africa's entrepreneurial ecosystem, with updates to existing categories and the introduction of a new Male Ally Award.
The Male Ally Award has been introduced to recognise male leaders whose actions and leadership have contributed to advancing women's economic empowerment and leadership across Africa.
The winners of the AWIEF Awards 2026 will be announced during the awards ceremony and gala dinner on 11 November 2026, which will conclude the AWIEF 2026 Conference taking place on 10 and 11 November 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Cape Town, South Africa.
AWIEF Awards 2026 Categories
Woman to Watch Award
- Recognises a female leader under 35, or the founder or leader of a venture under three years old, based in or primarily operating in Africa, demonstrating early business traction through revenue, pilots, partnerships, users or beneficiaries.
Tech Pioneer Award
- Recognises a female founder or senior leader with at least five years' experience in technology or innovation who uses technology, digital tools, data or deep-tech solutions to address African challenges including access, inclusion, efficiency or scalability.
Agri Award
- Honours women with five or more years' experience in agriculture, agri-processing, agri-tech, food systems or value chains who contribute to productivity, sustainability, food security or farmer livelihoods.
Creative Visionary Award
- Recognises female entrepreneurs or leaders with at least five years' experience in creative industries including fashion, design, media, film, music, art, architecture, digital content or cultural industries.
Impact for Good Award
- Honours female founders or leaders whose initiatives have operated for at least three years in sustainability, climate, energy, social innovation, community development, health or education and demonstrate measurable social or environmental impact.
Male Ally Award
- Recognises a male leader, founder, executive, policymaker or senior decision-maker with 10 or more years of leadership who has contributed to advancing women's economic empowerment across Africa.
Lifetime Achievement Award
- Honours a female leader with at least 25 years of leadership, entrepreneurship or public service whose contributions have supported Africa's economic, social or institutional development and future generations of women leaders.
No nominations are required for the Lifetime Achievement Award. AWIEF selects the recipient annually from across Africa.
How to Nominate
Individuals may nominate themselves or another candidate by submitting nominations through the official AWIEF nomination platform.
Nomination Deadline: 3 August 2026, 11:59 PM CAT
Important Dates
- Nominations Open: 30 June 2026
- Nominations Close: 3 August 2026
- Finalists Announced: September 2026
- AWIEF 2026 Conference and Awards Gala Dinner: 10–11 November 2026
The announcement was distributed by APO Group on behalf of the Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF).