By Ayomide Otitoju
The 2025 African Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) Awards celebrated the continent’s most outstanding women leaders and innovators at a glittering gala held on Friday evening in Cape Town, South Africa.
The ceremony honoured eight exceptional women driving innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth across Africa, underscoring the transformative power of female leadership in shaping the continent’s future.
Since its inception in 2016, the AWIEF Awards have served as a platform to recognize and empower women entrepreneurs and changemakers, fostering a vibrant pan-African community of collaboration and impact.
This year’s winners represented a broad range of industries including technology, agriculture, energy, creative arts, and social entrepreneurship—all united by a shared vision of advancing Africa’s development through innovation.
The awards ceremony concluded the two-day AWIEF 2025 Conference, which drew more than 500 delegates from over 50 countries. The conference featured panel discussions, exhibitions, masterclasses, and networking sessions, culminating in the prestigious awards gala dinner.
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)
Speaking after her win, Soraya da Piedade, recipient of the Creative Industry Award, expressed gratitude for the recognition. “I’m deeply honoured and grateful to AWIEF for creating platforms like this, where we celebrate women’s creativity and leadership,” she said. “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.”
Linda Davis, founder and CEO of Giraffe Bioenergy and winner of the Agri Entrepreneur Award, described the recognition as a career milestone. “It’s my first time winning an award like this, and I am beyond excited,” she said. “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.”
The 2025 AWIEF Awards once again highlighted the critical role of women in driving Africa’s progress, innovation, and inclusive growth.
