Nominations are open for the AWIEF Awards 2026, one of the continent’s most respected platforms for recognizing African women in business. Run by the Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF), the awards celebrate founders, innovators, and leaders driving real economic impact across the continent, and this year’s edition has expanded to recognize male allies too.
If you know a woman entrepreneur doing outstanding work or if that’s you, the AWIEF Awards 2026 is worth your time. Among various options, you can nominate African women entrepreneurs 2026.
What Is AWIEF?
AWIEF is a pan-African, non-profit organization with Special Consultative Status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), focused on closing the gender gap in African entrepreneurship. Since 2017, the AWIEF Awards have honored women founders and business leaders whose work is reshaping industries across the continent — from agriculture and tech to the creative economy.
What You Can Be Nominated For
The AWIEF Awards 2026 features seven categories, refreshed this year to reflect where African entrepreneurship is heading:
- Woman to Watch — a female leader under 35, or founder/leader of a venture under three years old, already showing strong traction
- Tech Pioneer — a female founder or senior leader with 5+ years’ experience using technology or digital solutions to solve African challenges
- Agri Award — women improving productivity, sustainability, or food security in agriculture, agri-processing, or agri-tech
- Additional categories covering the creative industry, social impact, and business leadership
- Male Ally Award (new for 2026) — recognizing men whose leadership has advanced women’s economic empowerment in Africa
You can nominate yourself or nominate someone else.
Key Dates
- Nominations opened: 30 June 2026
- Nomination deadline: 3 August 2026, 11:59pm CAT
- Finalists announced: September 2026
- Winners announced: AWIEF Awards Gala Dinner, 11 November 2026, closing out the AWIEF 2026 Conference in Cape Town, South Africa
How to Apply
- Go to the official nomination portal: https://awief.untap.us/awief-awards-2026
- Choose the category that best fits the nominee’s work
- Complete the nomination form with details on the nominee’s achievements, impact, and growth
- Submit before the 3 August 2026 deadline. There is no fee charged to nominate someone.
Why This Matters for African Youth
While AWIEF isn’t a funded scholarship or grant, it’s a genuine visibility and credibility opportunity. For young women entrepreneurs still building their businesses, a nomination even without winning, signals recognition from a continentally respected organization. Finalists gain exposure to AWIEF’s network of investors, policymakers, and development partners at the November conference in Cape Town.
A Note on Funding
Be clear-eyed about what this opportunity offers: AWIEF Awards is a recognition award, not a funded trip. The nomination call doesn’t detail travel or accommodation support for finalists, so if you’re shortlisted, budget for your own travel to Cape Town unless AWIEF confirms otherwise at the finalist stage.
Always nominate directly through the official AWIEF portal. Negus Chronicles does not process nominations and cannot guarantee outcomes.
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