Kenya’s Caroline Wanjiru and Christine Ager emerged among the 15 finalists in the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) 2024 VALUE4HER Women Agripreneurs of the Year Awards (WAYA).
The selection was drawn from 1,535 applications across 44 African nations and showcases the continent’s top women excelling in agribusiness. The finalists were drawn from various African countries including Kenya, Benin, Burkina Faso, the DRC, Ghana, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda.
This year’s category winners will each receive a cash prize of Ksh. 3.2 million (USD 25,000), with the grand prize winner walking away with Ksh. 5.2 million (USD 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 agri-preneurs 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.
Listed below are this year’s top 15 finalists listed by category.
Outstanding Value-adding Enterprises
- Affiong Williams -, Nigeria
- Bassono Kabore Windlasida Florence -, Burkina Faso
- Caroline Wanjiru Mambo -, Kenya
Female Ag Tech 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 has revealed its panel of judges committed to women’s economic empowerment to assess and select the final awardees.
This year’s judging panel includes the following women.
- Delphine Traore – AGRA Board Member and CEO of General Insurance at Sanlam Allianz
- Jen Ramnath – Chief Digital and Information Officer for the Mastercard Foundation
- Mary Boote – Vice Chair of the International Agri-food Network and CEO Global Farmer Network
- Judy Matu – National Executive Chairlady for the Association of Women in Agriculture Kenya
- Oluyemisi Iranloye – CEO and Founder of Psaltry International and Psaltry Foundation, and the WAYA 2022 Grand Prize Winner
Oluyemisi is the first WAYA winner to make a judging debut, emphasizing AGRA’s efforts to continue growing and recognizing the winning alumni.