The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) has officially announced the finalists for AWIEF Awards 2018. The AWIEF Awards is aimed at promoting excellence in entrepreneurship and innovation amongst women-owned businesses in all sectors and across the 54 African countries.

Commenting on the awards, AWIEF founder and Chief Executive Officer, Irene Ochem said, “Women-owned businesses are a vital part of the African economy. The massive response to the AWIEF Awards underscores the fact that women in Africa are resilient and seeking recognition and celebration for their achievements and contribution to the economy and Africa’s sustainable development.”

“Given the huge number and quality of the nominations received this year, I must say that female entrepreneurship is strong and thriving all across African countries,” she added.

AWIEF is a platform that sees global thought leaders, industry experts, policymakers, academics, development organisations, and investors gather to dialogue, connect, network, share, collaborate and transact in a combined effort to accelerate the growth of women-owned and women-led businesses for Africa’s inclusive economic growth.

40 women founders and entrepreneurs have been selected as finalists, across eight categories. They represent 12 different African countries. The award’s panel of judges is made up of nine exceptional industry experts and thought leaders spread across the continent. The finalist in each category are as follows:

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR AWARD CATEGORY FINALISTS

Jane KAGIRI–CreativeEdge Solutions – Kenya

Nomso Faith KANA – Sun n Shield 84 Tech – South Africa

Juliet NAMUJJU – Kimuli Fashionability – Uganda

Kunmi OTITOJU – Minku – Nigeria

Bidemi ZAKARIYAU – LSF|PR – Nigeria

TECH ENTREPRENEUR AWARD  CATEGORY FINALISTS

Benji COETZEE – Empty Trips – South Africa

Faith KIMEU – Dial A Pad – Kenya

Beth KOIGI – Majik Water – Kenya

Darlene MENZIES – Findfind – South Africa

Juliana ROTICH – BRCK.Org – Kenya

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR AWARD CATEGORY FINALISTS

Essma BEN HAMIDA – Enda Inter-Arabe – Tunisia

Madalitso CHIDUMU – IMPACT-CEED – Malawi

Shamim NABUMA KALIISA – Community Dental and Reproductive Health – Uganda

Lorna RUTTO – EcoPosts – Kenya

Amina SLAOUI – Groupe AMH – Morocco

GLOBAL BRAND AWARD CATEGORY FINALISTS

Sarah COLLINS – Wonderbag – South Africa

Adele DEJAK – AdèleDejak, Kenya

Renchia DROGANIS – Africology – South Africa

Njeri RIONGE – Wananchi Group – Kenya

Bethlehem TILAHUN-ALEMU – SoleRebels – Ethiopia

AGRI ENTREPRENEUR AWARD CATEGORY FINALISTS

Ngabaghila CHATATA – Thanthwe Enterprises – Malawi

Elorm GOH – Agrisolve – Ghana

Jeanne GROENEWALD – Elgin Free Range Chickens – South Africa

Joyce KYALEMA – Josmak International – Uganda

Jane MAIGUA – Exotic EPZ Ltd – Kenya

EMPOWERMENT AWARD CATEGORY FINALISTS

Emma DICKS – CodeSpace – South Africa

Kate EKANEM – Kate Tales Foundation – Nigeria

Chiedza Daneek Nobuhle KAMBASHA – Hemmingworth Cartwright – Zimbabwe

Irene KIWIA – The Women of Achievement – Tanzania

Marvella ODILI – Save Our Need Organisation – Nigeria

CREATIVE INDUSTRY AWARD CATEGORY FINALISTS

Folake FOLARIN-COKER – Tiffany Amber – Nigeria

Nana Akua OPPONG-BIRMEH – Archxenus – Ghana

Soraya PIEDADE – Soraya da Piedade Ltd – Angola

Abai SCHULZE – ZAAF Collection – Ethiopia

Winnifred SELBY – Afrocentric Bamboo – Ghana

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD CATEGORY FINALISTS

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

The Awards will take place after the 2018 AWIEF conference and exhibition holding on November 8–9, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town. With the theme “Unleashing Ideas: Innovation, Sustainability & Enterprise Growth”, this highly anticipated event is bound to gather the best and most relevant players in the African entrepreneurship community.

Winners in each category of the awards will be announced at a glamorous black tie ceremony and gala dinner on Friday, November 9, at the prestigious The Westin Cape Town Hotel.

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