The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has announced the 15 finalists for the 2024 VALUE4HER Women Agripreneurs of the Year Awards (WAYA). This year, 1,535 applications from 44 African nations were reviewed.
Finalists come from Benin, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda. This increase in diversity highlights the growing recognition of women’s roles in agribusiness.
In her remarks, Ms. Nana Yaa Boakyewaa Amoah, AGRA’s Director for Gender, Youth & Inclusiveness, stated, “Women represent 50% of the agricultural labor force in Africa where they are responsible for 70% of production, yet they are still underrepresented as agribusiness leaders in the continent.
“WAYA aims to be one if the initiatives bridging this gap by incentivizing and recognizing these women as the drivers of inclusive agricultural transformation in Africa”
Each winner in the various categories will receive $25,000, while the grand prize winner will get $40,000. The winners will be announced at the Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, from September 2 to 6, 2024.
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Diverse Categories Highlight Agripreneur Talent
The 2024 WAYA features five categories: Young Female Agripreneur (Rising Star), Women Empowerment Champion, Resilient and Inspirational Leader, Outstanding Value-Adding Enterprise, and Female AgTech Innovator.
The finalists are:
Outstanding Value-Adding Enterprises
- Affiong Williams – Nigeria
- Bassono Kabore Windlasida Florence – Burkina Faso
- Caroline Wanjiru Mambo – Kenya
Female AgTech Innovators
- Anaporka Adazabra – Ghana
- Aisha Raheem – Nigeria
- Boitumelo Bethesda Frazie – South Africa
Young Female Agripreneurs (Rising Stars)
- Jovia Kisakye – Uganda
- Ogbon Eyitayo Azaratou – Benin
- Tonthoza Uganja – Malawi
Women Empowerment Champion
- Christine Ager – Kenya
- Fannie Gondwe – Malawi
- Judith Endelesi Karia – Tanzania
Resilient and Inspirational Leader
- Daniella Ushindi Virivuswagha – DR Congo
- Konlan Lydia Madintin – Ghana
- Sandra Letio – Uganda
AGRA praises these women for their leadership, innovation, and commitment to community and social impact. Their business ideas address critical challenges in agriculture and agrifood sectors.