The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has announced the top 15 finalists for the 2024 VALUE4HER Women Agripreneurs of the Year Awards (WAYA).

This year's selection, drawn from 1,535 applications across 44 African nations, showcases the continent's top women excelling in agribusiness. The finalists have been drawn from Benin, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda.

“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”, says AGRA’s Director for Gender, Youth & Inclusiveness, Ms. Nana Yaa Boakyewaa Amoah.

This year's ultimate category winners will each receive a cash prize of $25,000, with the grand prize winner walking away with $40,000.

Notably, the 2024 awards have seen a rise in the number of countries represented, increasing from 42 last year to 44 this year, and applicants increasing from 1,430 to 1,535. The winners will be announced at the Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali Rwanda, which will be held from 2nd to 6th September 2024.

This year’s WAYA features five distinct categories, reflecting diversity and promoting the variety of talents among women agripreneurs in the continent. The categories are: Young Female Agripreneur (Rising Star), Women Empowerment Champion, Resilient and Inspirational Leader, Outstanding Value-Adding Enterprise and Female AgTech Innovator.   
 
This year’s top 15 finalists, listed by category and in alphabetical order, are: 

Outstanding Value-adding Enterprises  

1. Affiong Williams -, Nigeria 
2. Bassono Kabore Windlasida Florence -, Burkina Faso  
3. Caroline Wanjiru Mambo -, Kenya

Female Ag Tech Innovators 

1. Anaporka Adazabra -, Ghana  
2. Aisha Raheem -, Nigeria 
3. Boitumelo Bethesda Frazie -, South Africa 

Young Female Agripreneurs (Rising Stars) 

1. Jovia Kisakye - Uganda  
2. Ogbon Eyitayo Azaratou - Benin  
3. Tonthoza Uganja -– Malawi

Women Empowerment Champion 

1. Christine Ager - Kenya  
2. Fannie Gondwe - Malawi  
3. Judith Endelesi Karia - Tanzania  

Resilient and Inspirational Leader 

1. Daniella Ushindi Virivuswagha - DR Congo  
2. Konlan Lydia Madintin – Ghana 
3. Sandra Letio - Uganda  

AGRA said in a statement these women have distinguished themselves through their leadership, innovation, ambition, and commitment to community development and social impact. Their business ideas were sparked by existing social and environmental challenges within the agriculture and agrifood sectors in their countries, which they felt compelled to address. agrf-inperson.com,By Nixon Kanali, Africa Business Community