In a celebration of innovation and excellence, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) unveiled the remarkable winners of the 2023 Women Agripreneurs of the Year Awards (WAYA 2023) during the Africa Food Systems Forum (AGRF 2023) held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. These exceptional women agripreneurs, hailing from Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Senegal, have shone brightly in the agricultural sector, paving the way for transformative growth and positive change in Africa.
Women: The Backbone of African Agriculture
Women have always played a pivotal role in African agriculture, constituting over 50 percent of the agricultural labor force in developing countries. Recognizing their invaluable contributions and the need for equal opportunities, AGRA’s Value4her program aims to support and appreciate women in agripreneurship.
Honoring Outstanding Achievements
The Women Agripreneurs of the Year Award (WAYA) is now in its third edition, having been launched in 2021 during the AGRF Summit in Nairobi, Kenya. It forms an integral part of AGRA’s VALUE4HER initiative. WAYA aims to acknowledge and celebrate women agripreneurs across Africa who have excelled in various segments of the agricultural value chain and demonstrated remarkable innovation in their endeavors.
A Diverse Range of Winners
This year, AGRA received an impressive 1,340 nominations from 42 African countries. From this pool of talent, four outstanding women were selected as winners in different categories: Outstanding Value Adding Enterprise, Female Ag Tech Innovator, Young Female Agripreneur (Rising Star), and the Grand Prize.
The winners received a total of US$85,000 in grant funding during the ceremony, which serves as both recognition of their achievements and support for their future endeavors. These exceptional women have made it their mission to reshape the agricultural landscape, not only with groundbreaking ideas but also with sustainable practices that positively impact their communities.
A Panel of Resolute Judges
The selection process was overseen by a distinguished panel of judges, including Betty Kiplagat, the Government Affairs Leader for Africa & the Middle East at Corteva; Binta Touré Ndoye, a Pan-African banker; Caroline Emond, the CEO of the International Dairy Federation; Marieme Esther Dassanou, the Director of Gender Programs at the MasterCard Foundation; and Judy Matu, the National Executive Chairlady at AWAK.
Inspiring Resilience and Innovation
Dr. Agnes Kalibata, President of AGRA, offered her heartfelt congratulations to the laureates, commending their dedication in transforming challenges into opportunities. She emphasized how these women have not only inspired their communities but also contributed significantly to food security, climate adaptation, economic growth, and sustainable development. Dr. Kalibata underscored the inspiring journeys of these women as testaments to the immense potential that resides within every individual, regardless of their gender.
The 2023 Women Agripreneurs of the Year Awards stand as a beacon of hope, highlighting the incredible achievements of women in the agricultural sector and their pivotal role in shaping the future of Africa’s agro-food systems. As these women continue to innovate and lead, they provide inspiration for all and prove that positive change is possible, no matter the challenges faced.