Nineteen women agripreneurs from 15 African countries have been named finalists in the 2026 VALUE4HER Women Agripreneurs of the Year Awards (WAYA), emerging from more than 1,000 applications across 35 countries.
The finalists represent businesses operating across agricultural technology, food processing, seed systems, value addition, climate-smart agriculture, market development and rural enterprise, reflecting the increasingly diverse role women-led businesses are playing across Africa’s food economy.
The 2026 WAYA winners will be unveiled on 1 September 2026 in Kigali, Rwanda, during the Africa Food Systems Forum.
WAYA is AGRA’s flagship continental recognition programme celebrating women excelling across agricultural value chains. Beyond recognition, the programme seeks to increase the visibility of women-led agribusinesses and create greater opportunities for growth, investment and market access.
WAYA 2026 finalists
The Outstanding Value-Adding Enterprise category recognizes women-owned agribusinesses increasing the economic value and consumer appeal of agricultural products through processing, product development and other forms of value addition. The finalists in this category are Aminata Kafando Ouattara of DAN AGRO in Burkina Faso, Zainab Lawal Gwadabe of Seed Pro Africa in Nigeria, and Peserverance Muzeya of Alzanael Private Limited in Zimbabwe.
The Female Ag-Tech Innovator category recognizes women agripreneurs championing technological advancement in agribusiness and applying innovation to agricultural challenges. The finalists are Cherotich Rutto of Tawi Fresh in Kenya, Millicent Okumu of Agriflex Ltd. in Kenya, and Seynabou Diagne Diallo of AGRO KOOM in Senegal.
The Resilient & Inspirational Leader category recognizes women agripreneurs from marginalized, vulnerable or hard-to-reach communities who demonstrate exceptional determination, resilience and social impact in building their agribusinesses. The finalists are Aniella Niyondiko of Aheza Iwacu in Burundi, Marina Kamanzi of Kagezi Seed Company Limited in Rwanda, Doreen Jean Nsasiirwe of Westlink Delicacy Api Group Ltd. in Uganda, and Portia Asumda of Kusanaba Women’s Group Ltd Co. in Ghana.
The Young Female Agripreneur — Rising Star category recognizes high-potential women agripreneurs under 35 demonstrating innovation and leadership in agribusiness. The finalists are Sakalé Traoré of Mamali Moringa in Mali, Amira Affaf Bellil of Propolina in Algeria, Sabiha Rashid of Rosho/Mastermind Ventures Ltd. in Tanzania, Shirley Marlin Ribeiro Da Graça of Luteari – Insumos & Serviços Agrícolas Lda in Mozambique, Rachel Virivuswagha of Urembo Kona in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Yvette Dickson-Tetteh of Pure and Just Company Limited in Ghana.
The Women Empowerment Champion category recognizes women agripreneurs demonstrating a deliberate commitment to creating opportunities for other women to establish and grow agribusinesses of their own. The finalists are Ifeoma Mary Okonkwo of IFGREEN Industries & Investment Ltd. in Nigeria, Thokozani Amanda Chimasula of Tac-Maz Sustainable Ventures in Malawi, and Irene Etyang of MAMLO FOODS in Kenya.
WAYA 2026 judging panel
The 19 finalists will be assessed by an independent five-member panel bringing expertise across entrepreneurship, agricultural finance, Ag-Tech, food systems, investment and private sector development. The 2026 WAYA judges are Atsuko Toda, Senior Director of Entrepreneurship Development at the Mastercard Foundation; Axel Happy Muyombano, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Ampere Vision; Betty Kibaara, Director of the Food Initiative at The Rockefeller Foundation’s Africa Regional Office; Robynne Anderson, President & CEO of Emerging Ag; and Sam Nganga, Upstream & Advisory Manager for Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services at the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
The judges enter the process after applicants have passed through eligibility screening, longlisting, shortlisting and due diligence. Finalists are independently assessed against four standardized criteria: Business Viability & Growth Potential, Innovation, Social & Environmental Impact, and Leadership Capacity.
The winners will be announced in Kigali, Rwanda, on 1 September 2026.
