Entries still open for the My entries Women Agripreneurs of the Year Awards (WAYA)

The VALUE4HER Women Agripreneurs of the Year Awards (WAYA) recognizes African female agripreneurs who have excelled in the agricultural value chains and have demonstrated remarkable innovation by contributing positively towards food security, climate resilience, women and youth empowerment.

WAYA recognizes established and emerging women agri-preneurs in five distinct categories:

1. Young Female Agripreneur (RISING STAR) – This category recognizes young women (35 years old and under) who have demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurial spirit in the agriculture sector. These women could be at an early stage in their careers but have shown potential through innovative business models, high growth potential, and leadership in their communities.
2. Outstanding Value-Adding Enterprise – This category honors businesses that have demonstrated excellence in value addition within the agricultural value chain. The focus is on businesses that transform raw agricultural products into higher-value goods, whether through processing, packaging, or introducing innovative products that significantly contribute to market growth.
3. Female Ag Tech Innovator – This category celebrates women who are at the forefront of integrating technology into agriculture. Technology in this context refers to innovative tools, platforms, and processes that improve agricultural practices. This could include hardware such as precision farming equipment, drones, automated irrigation systems, or soil sensors. It also encompasses software and digital solutions, such as mobile apps, data analytics platforms, AI-based solutions, and blockchain technologies that streamline the supply chain, track crop health, or optimize resource use. The technology must be impactful, scalable, and address real-world agricultural challenges like increasing productivity, reducing environmental impact, or improving sustainability.
4. Women Empowerment Champion – This category celebrates women whose businesses are dedicated to empowering other women. The focus is on clear, intentional efforts that uplift women through employment, mentorship, capacity building, or access to financial and business opportunities. The winner would be someone whose empowerment initiatives have made a significant and measurable difference in the lives of other women.
5. Resilient and Inspirational Leader – This category honors women who demonstrate exceptional leadership and resilience in the face of significant challenges, particularly in humanitarian or crisis-prone contexts. Eligible nominees must come from countries or regions identified as crisis-prone or fragile by the UN—such as conflict-affected areas, marginalized communities, and geographically hard-to-reach locations.

Eligibility: Women Agripreneurs of the Year Awards (WAYA)

• Nationality – Must be a citizen of one of the 55 African countries, evidenced by a copy of National Identity Card or Travel Passport.
• Gender – Must be female, evidenced by a copy of National Identity Card or Travel Passport.
• Age – Must be below 35 years (only for the Rising Star category), evidenced by a copy of National Identity Card or Travel Passport.
• Legal Status of Business (For-Profits) – Must be a registered for-profit business in an African country, evidenced by a copy of Certificate of Incorporation/ Cooperative Registration/ Trading License for 2025/ Tax Registration.
• Legal Status of NGOs with Income Generation – Must have income-generating activities clearly separated from non-profit activities. Evidenced by Registration Certificate of the NGO, Documents detailing income-generating activities (e.g., business plan, financial records).
  Ownership – At least 51% of shares must be owned and controlled by females who are citizens of the 55 African countries, evidenced by a copy of certificate indicating ownership of shares ( or MOU, AOA, or Particulars of Directors).
• Management – Women must hold at least 51% of board seats or 30% of senior management roles, evidenced Board membership list or Organizational Chart.
• Participation in Previous AGRA Awards – Must not have won any awards from AGRA-related programs in the last three years.
• Criminal Record – Must have no criminal record related to corruption, tax evasion, or financial impropriety, evidenced by an affidavit or AGRA-led background.
• Ethical Considerations – Must comply with ethical standards related to the business entity.
• Induction into the IAFN Accelerator Program – Must demonstrate consistent revenue generation and market penetration.

APPLICATION – Women Agripreneurs of the Year Awards (WAYA)

• The deadline for applications is May 31, 2025
• To apply visit the awards website
• If you have any questions on the entry process, please contact the organisers by email at [email protected]

• Please make sure all your personal details are entered accurately, including contact details.
• You are eligible to enter more than one category, as long as the work submitted meets the criteria. You however cannot submit more than one entry for the same category.
• You can use the ‘copy’ feature to create a copy of your entry and change the category as required.