The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) has revealed the nominees for the 2024 AWIEF Awards, which will recognise the achievements of Africa's female entrepreneurs and leaders. 

The awards, which are presented every year at the AWIEF conference, recognise women entrepreneurs' contributions to fostering innovation, supporting gender equality, and advancing Africa's economic development.

This year, AWIEF says, the finalists were chosen from a wide range of outstanding female founders and business owners from across the continent, each displaying excellence in their respective sectors. 

The finalists are divided into categories like as agriculture, technology, creative industries, social entrepreneurship, and more.

The winners of the 2024 AWIEF Awards will be announced at the AWIEF Awards Ceremony on November 29, 2024, during the AWIEF Conference in Cape Town, South Africa.

AWIEF says: “The awards continue to celebrate women who are making waves across industries, empowering communities, and setting new benchmarks in entrepreneurship. The finalists represent a diverse array of sectors, highlighting the depth and breadth of women’s contributions to Africa's economic landscape.”

Here are the finalists (in alphabetical order) for the 2024 AWIEF Awards:

1. Young Entrepreneur Award

Mpho Hlongwane – MH Automotive Engineering (South Africa)

Adeline Pelage – Madinina Foods (Cameroon)

Jessy Radwan – Carerha (Egypt)

2. Agri Entrepreneur Award

Naledi Magowe – Brastorne (Botswana)

Ifeoma Okonkwo – Ifgreen Industries & Investment (Nigeria)

Cherotich Rutto – Tawifresh Kenya Limited (Kenya)

3. Creative Industry Award

Thabo Makhetha-Kwinana – Thabo Makhetha CC (South Africa)

Jenny Edwige Mezile – L’École D’Arts les Pieds dans la Mare de Jenny Mezile (Côte d’Ivoire)

Jane Mpholo – Jane Mpholo Pty Ltd (South Africa)

4. Empowerment Award

Fomum Victorine Agum – Global Women Emancipation in Sports (Cameroon)

Judy Makira – Centre for Women Empowerment in Technology (Kenya)

Creseldah Cassandra Ndlovu – CLM Clothing & Textile (South Africa)

5. Tech Entrepreneur Award

Ynes Hafi – ARSELA (Tunisia)

Peace Iraguha – Lifesten Health (Rwanda)

Christiana Okere – myStash (Nigeria)

6. Social Entrepreneur Award

Osen Iyahen – Optimal Greening Foundation (Nigeria)

Temitope Mayegun – Avilla Naturalle (Nigeria)

Tsholofelo Ramokoka – AddressDox (South Africa)