The 6^th edition of the Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) conference and awards held on December 2 and 3 hosted more than 60 African and global thought leaders across business and politics who shared insight and thought leadership.

The virtual conference theme this year was, Reimagining business and rebuilding better.

The two-day event aimed to explore post-pandemic recovery for the African markets, and to address women’s economic empowerment; share entrepreneurship trends; connect and network with trailblazers from all over Africa and beyond.

AWIEF2020 prestigious keynote speakers included the Mayor of City of Atlanta, Keisha Lance Bottoms, U.S. Ambassador to South Africa, Lana Marks, and the Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat Wamkele Mene.

According to Mayor Bottoms, “Atlanta’s Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) and Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) are connecting to strengthen the ties between Atlanta and the African continent.

“Africa holds a very special place in the heart of Atlanta. The global health crisis has put a lens of uncertainty on our world, we are treading uncharted territory across the globe.

“The definition of balance in our lives has been stretched for everyone, especially for women who lead our communities. Programs like WEI and AWIEF serve to level the playing field while bringing more women leaders to the table and helping to foster diverse business communities.”

The AWIEF Awards honored and celebrated the achievements of women entrepreneurs and innovators across the African continent.

Eight women founders and entrepreneurs emerged winners across eight different categories, out of the twenty-four selected as finalists from across the continent, including Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Tanzania.

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR AWARD

Hannah Lavery, Founder, Hannah Lavery (South Africa)

AGRI ENTREPRENEUR AWARD

Victoria Mwafulirwa, Managing Director, Homes Industries (Malawi)

TECH ENTREPRENEUR AWARD

Marlize Holtzhausen, Founder and CEO, Response24 (South Africa)

CREATIVE INDUSTRY AWARD

Ayanfeoluwa Olarinde, Lulu Arts and UnEarthical (Nigeria)

EMPOWERMENT AWARD

Porcho Marguerite Sogoba, CEO, MUSODEV (Mali)

ENERGY ENTREPRENEUR AWARD

Amma Serwah Boateng, Co-founder, Destra Energy Group (Ghana)

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR AWARD

Rita Stryker, CEO, Willette Safehouse (Liberia)

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Daisy Mmabatho Molefhi, Founder and Vice Chancellor, ABM University College (Botswana)