Kigali – The 9th African Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) concluded its session on November 10 in Kigali, marking a significant moment for women’s entrepreneurship across Africa. The event, held over two days, gathered ministers, international institution representatives, and a plethora of women entrepreneurs from various African countries.
According to Africa News Agency, the forum’s focus was on uniting different stakeholders in the African entrepreneurial ecosystem around the theme of women’s critical role in addressing the continent’s challenges. Rwanda’s Minister of Digital Affairs, Paula Ingabire, highlighted the country’s achievements in gender parity, particularly in parliament, and emphasized the importance of including women in all programs.
Digital technology was the central theme of this year’s forum, recognizing its vital role in promoting women’s inclusion in the digital economy. A report by the GSMA Organization revealed that only 42% of African women have internet access, underscoring the need for equal access to digital tools and skills. The Minister stressed that the newly launched platform at AWIEF should act as a catalyst for women’s inclusion, aiming to identify and eliminate barriers to their participation in the digital economy.
The AWIEF also served as a platform for advocacy and celebration of women’s entrepreneurial success. An awards ceremony at the Kigali Convention Centre honored eight winners, chosen from twenty-four shortlisted entrepreneurs by an independent international jury in September.
FIFA Secretary General, Fatma Samoura, was honored with the inaugural AWIEF Lifetime Leadership Award. This award recognized her leadership in the sports world and her global achievements as the first non-European, first African, and first woman to become Secretary General of FIFA. In her acceptance speech, she encouraged investment in African football and shared her vision for its future growth.
The AWIEF Awards 2023 recognized women entrepreneurs in various categories. Winners included Salamba Diene (Young Entrepreneur Award), Kidist Tesfaye (Tech Entrepreneur Award), Nonopa Tenza (Agri Entrepreneur Award), Ifeoma Malo (Energy Entrepreneur Award), Yasmina Belahsen (Creative Industry Award), Mundih Noelar Njohjam (Social Entrepreneur Award), Zulfat Makarubega (Empowerment Award), and Dalia Ibrahim (Lifetime Achievement Award).
This year’s AWIEF highlighted the pivotal role women entrepreneurs play in Africa’s growth and the ongoing need to support and amplify their contributions in the entrepreneurial landscape.
