The 2025 AWIEF Awards gathered Africa’s top women leaders and entrepreneurs for a gala at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
The event, held on Friday evening, was the highlight of a two-day AWIEF2025 Conference that saw more than 500 delegates from over 50 countries engage in dynamic discussions, networking, and knowledge sharing.
Since its founding in 2016, the AWIEF Awards have become a premier platform for recognizing the transformative power of women-led businesses and innovation across Africa. The awards not only celebrate individual and collective achievements but also aim to build a pan-African community of mentorship, investment, and collaboration to empower future generations of women entrepreneurs.
This year’s gala marked a significant milestone in AWIEF’s mission to celebrate and inspire women driving innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth. Eight outstanding winners were announced, each representing a different sector,technology, agriculture, energy, creative arts, and social entrepreneurship,demonstrating the breadth of women’s impact on Africa’s socio-economic development.
The finalists hailed from Botswana, Uganda, Somalia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Angola, Morocco, South Africa, and Nigeria, underlining the continent-wide influence of women’s entrepreneurship.
2025 AWIEF Awards Winners:
Young Entrepreneur Award: Norah Kimathi – Zerobionic, Kenya
Empowerment Award: Mampho Sotshongaye – Golden Rewards 1981, South Africa
Energy Entrepreneur Award: Nidal Tafah – MIRRIAH, Morocco
Creative Industry Award: Soraya da Piedade – Soraya da Piedade LDA, Angola
Social Entrepreneur Award: Farana Boodhram – MiDesk Global, South Africa
Agri Entrepreneur Award (Sponsored by OCP Africa): Linda Davis – Giraffe Bioenergy, Kenya
Tech Entrepreneur Award: Maryanne Gichanga – AgriTech Analytics, Kenya
Lifetime Achievement Award: Audrey Joe-Ezigbo – CEO, Falcon Corporation, Nigeria
A highlight of the evening was the Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Audrey Joe-Ezigbo, CEO of Falcon Corporation, in recognition of her outstanding leadership and impact in Africa’s energy sector. Joe-Ezigbo’s career stands as an inspiration for women aspiring to leadership in traditionally male-dominated industries.
For Soraya da Piedade, founder of Soraya da Piedade LDA and Creative Industry Award winner, the recognition was a milestone in her entrepreneurial journey. “I’m deeply honoured and grateful to AWIEF for creating platforms like this, where we celebrate women’s creativity and leadership. This award reminds me that when we create from a place of passion and purpose, we not only build brands but also inspire others to dream bigger,” she said.
Kenya’s Linda Davis, founder and CEO of Giraffe Bioenergy and recipient of the Agri Entrepreneur Award, described her win as “surreal.” “It’s my first time winning an award like this, and I am beyond excited. AWIEF has given women like me a powerful space to share our work, connect with others, and be recognized for driving change in our communities. This win belongs to every woman farmer and entrepreneur working to build a sustainable Africa.”
This year’s finalists reflected a remarkable spectrum of talent from across Africa, including tech innovators, creative entrepreneurs, and social impact leaders. The diversity, depth, and dynamism of their work highlights the evolving landscape of Africa’s women-led enterprises.
Initiatives like the AWIEF Awards continue to break barriers and inspire change, championing a more inclusive and innovative future for Africa. As the 2025 awards drew to a close, the achievements of these women served as a powerful reminder of the vital role women play in shaping the continent’s growth and prosperity.
