The awards recognize, honor, and celebrate women entrepreneurs and business owners in Africa across various industry sectors for their achievements and contribution to the continent’s inclusive economic growth and social development.

The 24 finalists were selected from a record number of nominations received from across Africa.

The finalists represent a diverse range of sectors, including technology, agriculture, education, healthcare, and finance.

They are also from a variety of countries, including Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The finalists for the 2023 AWIEF Awards are (listed in alphabetical order):

Young Entrepreneur Award

Salamba Diene, CEO, BIOSENE SARL, Senegal

Joyce Kamande, Co-founder & CEO, Safi Organics, Kenya

Jovia Kisakye, CEO, Sparkle Agro Brand, Uganda

Tech Entrepreneur Award

Norah Magero, Founder & CEO, Drop Access Limited, Kenya

Kathryn Malherbe, CEO, Med Sol AI Solutions, South Africa

Kidist Tesfaye, Founder & CEO, YeneHealth, Ethiopia

Agri Entrepreneur Award

Chinwendu Nweke, CEO, Bridge Merchant Enterprise, Nigeria

Forget Shareka, Founder, Chashi Foods, Zimbabwe

Nonopa Tenza, Founder & MD, Kevinot Farming, South Africa

Energy Entrepreneur Award

Linda Mabhena-Olagunju, Founder & CEO, DLO Energy Resources Group, South Africa

Ifeoma Malo, CEO, Clean Technology Hub, Nigeria

Margaret Yainkain Mansaray, Founder & CEO, Women in Energy Sierra Leone Limited, Sierra Leone

Creative Industry Award

Yasmina Belahsen, Founder, MayaDigital, Morocco

Gladys Chibanda, Founder & CEO, Krafted Ink, Zimbabwe

Ararat Tamirat, Founder & GM, Tuba By Ararat, Ethiopia

Social Entrepreneur Award

Damilola Aminat Adeyemi, Co-founder & CEO, D-Olivette Global Enterprise, Nigeria

Kayumba Chiwele, Founder & Principal Psychologist, MindAid Zambia, Zambia

Mundih Noelar Njohjam, Medical Doctor, Epilepsy Awareness, Aid and Research Association, Cameroon

Empowerment Award

Aya Chebbi, Founder & President, Nalafem Collective, Tunisia

Zulfat Mukarubega, Founder, University of Tourism, Technology and Business Studies, Rwanda

Catherine Wijnberg, Founder & CEO, Fetola, South Africa

Lifetime Achievement Award

Rina Gunter, Founding Partner, Gunter Attorneys, South Africa

Dalia Ibrahim, CEO, Nahdet Misr Publishing House, Egypt

Anke Weisheit, Co-founder & Chair, PHARMBIOTRAC, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda

The winners of the 2023 AWIEF Awards will be announced at a special ceremony and gala dinner at the AWIEF2023 Conference and Awards.

The even is set for November 9 and 10 at the Kigali Convention Centre, Kigali, Rwanda.

The AWIEF Awards are sponsored by a number of leading organizations, including Microsoft, Google, and Amazon Web Services.

The 24 finalists for the 2023 AWIEF Awards are a truly inspiring group of women entrepreneurs.

They are making a significant contribution to the inclusive economic growth and social development of Africa. 

The accelerator scoured the African tech ecosystem to identify startups at the forefront of AI innovation, and selected a diverse group that spans various industries and regions.

Out of the 12 startups in the FA23 cohort, nine are Nigerian, and one each from Kenya, Tanzania, and Ghana.

The selected startups are:

Fintech:

1. Zeeh Africa – a Nigerian AI-powered open banking platform connecting businesses to financial data.
2. Cotrust Equity – the Uber for micro-lending in Africa.
3. Wallx – a payment and business solution for small business owners, the company is also a Nigerian founded, based in Lagos.
4. Moosbu – an all-in-one AI-Powered Operating System for small African businesses.
5. Aibanc – a Nigeria-based lending firm that allows customers to access credit through a mobile app.
6. Greenbii – an AI-driven asset financing and software management platform for SMEs.

Healthtech:

7. Zendawa Africa – a Kenyan healthtech service provider that is enabling neighborhood pharmacies to sell online.
8. 10mg Pharma – a Nigerian healthtech that employs an AI algorithm based on the code tree model to pair healthcare providers with financing partners who meet specific criteria.

Others:

9. Sumundi (eCommerce) – an eCommerce platform for Africa’s retail businesses based in Ghana.
10. Trucki (Logistics) – a Lagos-based logistics startup leveraging blockchain and AI to provide a haulage infrastructure that connects cargo stakeholders.
11. KCG Aquatec Fish Farming (Agritech) – a Tanzanian startup that is providing aquaculture infrastructure for fish farmers.
12. Orange VFX.

The FAST Accelerator is backed by tech giant Microsoft, which has pledged substantial resources to support these startups on their journey to harness AI for positive societal impact.

Through the program, these companies will gain access to cutting-edge technologies, mentorship, funding opportunities, and the chance to collaborate with industry experts.

The FAST Accelerator’s AI program aligns with the broader mission of supporting African startups in overcoming barriers to success.

By providing access to resources and expertise, the program seeks to empower entrepreneurs to create solutions that address pressing issues in their respective countries and regions.