Rinchi
TechInAfrica – The 2018 African Women Innovative and Entrepreneurship Awards (AWIEF) has finally announced its finalists from different categories. The awards’ main goal is to promote entrepreneurship as well as innovation among women within the African continent. The awards will be hosted at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town from November 8 to November 9, 2018. This year’s theme is “Unleashing Ideas: Innovation, Sustainability & Enterprise Growth”.
Speaking of AWIEF, it is a platform where many innovative and inspiring people from the business sector are selected to receive awards. Those people including industry experts, thought leaders, academics, development organizations, investors, policymakers, etc. Through this big event, they share ideas and solutions to increase the growth of business women that further will improve the economy of Africa.
There are 40 businesswomen selected to be finalists and represent 12 African countries. The awards consist of eight categories with 5 finalists of each. The winners from each category will be announced at a gala dinner on Friday, November 9 at the Westin Cape Town Hotel.
Here are the finalists from each category:
Category 1: Young Entrepreneurship Award
- Jane Kagiri from Creativeedge Solutions – Kenya
- Nomso Faith Kana from Sun N Shield 84 Tech – South Africa
- Juliet Namujju from Kimuli Fashionability – Uganda
- Kunmi Otitoju from Minku – Nigeria
- Bidemi Zakariyau from Lsf|Pr – Nigeria
Category 2: Tech Entrepreneurship Award
- Benji Coetzee from Empty Trips – South Africa
- Faith Kimeu from Dial A Pad – Kenya
- Beth Koigi from Majik Water – Kenya
- Darlene Menzies from Findfind – South Africa
- Juliana Rotich From Brck.Org – Kenya
Category 3: Social Entrepreneur Award
- Essma Ben Hamida From Enda Inter-Arabe – Tunisia
- Madalitso Chidumu From Impact-Ceed – Malawi
- Shamim Nabuma Kaliisa From Community Dental And Reproductive Health – Uganda
- Lorna Rutto From Ecoposts – Kenya
- Amina Slaoui From Groupe Amh – Morocco
Category 4: Global Brand Award
- Sarah Collins From Wonderbag – South Africa
- Adele Dejak From Adèledejak, Kenya
- Renchia Droganis From Africology – South Africa
- Njeri Rionge From Wananchi Group – Kenya
- Bethlehem Tilahun-Alemu From Solerebels – Ethiopia
Category 5: Agri Entrepreneur Award
- Ngabaghila Chatata From Thanthwe Enterprises – Malawi
- Elorm Goh From Agrisolve – Ghana
- Jeanne Groenewald From Elgin Free Range Chickens – South Africa
- Joyce Kyalema From Josmak International – Uganda
- Jane Maigua From Exotic Epz Ltd – Kenya
Category 6: Empowerment Award
- Emma Dicks from Codespace – South Africa
- Kate Ekanem from Kate Tales Foundation – Nigeria
- Chiedza Daneek Nobuhle Kambasha from Hemmingworth Cartwright – Zimbabwe
- Irene Kiwia from The Women Of Achievement – Tanzania
- Marvella Odili from Save Our Need Organisation – Nigeria
Category 7: Creative Industry Award
- Folake Folarin-Coker from Tiffany Amber – Nigeria
- Nana Akua Oppong-Birmeh from Archxenus – Ghana
- Soraya Piedade from Soraya Da Piedade Ltd – Angola
- Abai Schulze from Zaaf Collection – Ethiopia
- Winnifred Selby from Afrocentric Bamboo – Ghana
Category 8: Lifetime Achievement Award
- Iyalode Alaba Lawson – Naccima Business Women Group – Nigeria
- Margaret Hirsch – Hirsch’s Homestores – South Africa
- Tabitha Karanja – Keroche Breweries – Kenya
- Wendy Luhabe – Women Private Equity Fund, South Africa
- Jennifer Riria – Echo Network Africa/Kenya Women Holding – Kenya
According to the founder of AWIEF and Chief Executive Officer, Irene Ochim, the businesses owned by African women are considered vital in the economy of Africa. Their high enthusiasm for the award shows how much they need support and acknowledgment about what they have achieved to help Africa’s economy as well as sustainable development. Judging by numerous nominations the African women earned on these many categories, proving that the women entrepreneurship is quite solid in Africa.
