Past Awards - AWIEF

2024

AWIEF Annual Awards

2024 Edition & Laureates

Excellence & Impact

In 2024, we honoured trailblazing women entrepreneurs and leaders whose ingenuity and resilience have driven sustainable economic growth across Africa.

Lifetime Leadership

Dr Naledi Pandor

Former Minister of International Relations and Cooperation South Africa

South Africa

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South Africa

2024 – Lifetime Leadership

Dr Naledi Pandor

Former Minister of International Relations and Cooperation South Africa (South Africa)

Dr. Naledi Pandor’s illustrious career spans decades of service in critical roles that have shaped South Africa’s domestic and international policies. As Minister of International Relations and Cooperation from 2019 to 2024, she championed South Africa’s role on the global stage, advancing diplomacy, peace-building, and international cooperation.

Her leadership in initiating the genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice underscores her unwavering commitment to justice and human rights. Dr. Pandor’s efforts reflect South Africa’s guiding principles of multilateralism and promoting equality on the global stage, as highlighted by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s vision of creating a better South Africa and a better world.

Dr. Pandor’s legacy extends beyond international relations. Since becoming a Member of Parliament in 1994, she has held several key cabinet positions, including:

Minister of Education (2004-2009)
Minister of Science and Technology (2009-2012; 2014-2018)
Minister of Home Affairs (2012-2014)
Minister of Higher Education and Training (2018-2019)
Her transformative impact on education and scientific progress has garnered global recognition, including Germany’s Grand Cross of Merit.

Dr. Pandor’s deep experience in governance, education, and international diplomacy uniquely positions her to address the key challenges and opportunities facing Africa’s women entrepreneurs. Her insights provide a fresh perspective on how collaboration, policy innovation, and global partnerships can create a more inclusive and prosperous future.

Young Entrepreneur Award Winner

Mpho Hlongwane

MH Automotive Engineering

South Africa

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South Africa

2024 – Young Entrepreneur Award Winner

Mpho Hlongwane

MH Automotive Engineering (South Africa)

Mpho Hlongwane is a 31-year-old Managing Director of MH Automotive Engineering. She did her undergrad studies in Industrial Engineering, followed an MBA, and is currently doing her PhD in Engineering Management. She has over 10 years of experience in the automotive industry and lectures at the TUT Business School. MH Automotive Engineering is a 2000-square-metre factory that assembles and sequences vehicle components fitted onto the Ford Ranger and VW Amarok.

Creative Industry Award Winner

Thabo Makhetha-Kwinana

Thabo Makhetha CC

South Africa

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South Africa

2024 – Creative Industry Award Winner

Thabo Makhetha-Kwinana

Thabo Makhetha CC (South Africa)

Thabo Makhetha-Kwinana is a Lesotho-born South African fashion designer and cultural ambassador, renowned for her Basotho-heritage-inspired work. In 2009 she founded the heritage brand Thabo Makhetha, whose debut collection at Vancouver Fashion Week in Canada received global acclaim for its use of the Basotho blankets. Thabo has received numerous accolades, including the Impact Award from the Arts & Culture Trust and is the first fashion designer to have an artist residency at the South African National Gallery.

Tech Entrepreneur Award Winner

Ynes Hafi

Arsela

Tunisia

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Tunisia

2024 – Tech Entrepreneur Award Winner

Ynes Hafi

Arsela (Tunisia)

Ynes Hafi, tech entrepreneur, and Co-Founder of ARSELA Technologies, a deep tech startup committed to transforming business automation through a sustainable and green no-code platform. Her mission is to contribute to making digital transformation accessible while driving innovation that promotes sustainability. Her mission is to empower women in tech, ensuring equal opportunities in the digital space. With a presence across the Middle East and Africa, she lead ARSELA in delivering impactful solutions that address today’s business and environmental challenges.

Agri Entrepreneur Award Winner

Ifeoma Okonkwo

ifgreen Industries & Investment

Nigeria

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Nigeria

2024 – Agri Entrepreneur Award Winner

Ifeoma Okonkwo

ifgreen Industries & Investment (Nigeria)

IFEOMA OKONKWO is the Co-Founder & Group Managing Director of IFGREEN Industries & Investment Ltd, a leading cassava processing company in sustainability and eco-friendly initiatives. She has extensive experience in business leadership and development, with a passion for fostering green innovations through sustainable practices. Under her leadership, IFGREEN has positively impacted human lives and the environment, through the creation of over 250 direct and indirect jobs, mostly women and youths, empowering over 1500 agriSMEs through financial inclusion, process, product, and function upgrades.

Social Entrepreneur Award Winner

Temitope Mayegum

Avilla Naturalle

Nigeria

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Nigeria

2024 – Social Entrepreneur Award Winner

Temitope Mayegum

Avilla Naturalle (Nigeria)

Temitope Mayegun is a pioneering social entrepreneur and Founder of Avila Naturalle, a revolutionary brand transforming the natural products industry with over 450 products. With a passion for sustainable living and community empowerment, Temitope has driven Avila Naturalle’s growth and impact. A finalist for the Social Entrepreneur Award at AWIEF Awards 2024, Temitope is recognized for her innovative approach, leadership, and dedication to creating a healthier planet. Through Avila Naturalle, Temitope inspires a new generation of entrepreneurs and change-makers.

Empowerment Award Winner

Creseldah Cassandra Ndlovu

CLM Clothing & Textile

South Africa

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South Africa

2024 – Empowerment Award Winner

Creseldah Cassandra Ndlovu

CLM Clothing & Textile (South Africa)

Creseldah Ndlovu is a visionary community builder, philanthropist, and social entrepreneur with over two decades of experience through her NGO, CEF Foundation. As the founder of CLM Clothing and Textiles, an accredited training and production social enterprise, she has empowered over 200 graduates and created jobs by manufacturing uniforms for game reserves. Creseldah champions sustainability through the production of washable and reusable sanitary pads, having distributed over 15,000 pads across South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. Her work focuses on the empowerment and well-being of children and young women, driven by her belief that “Passion & Purpose Wins” and a commitment to fostering future leaders.

2023

AWIEF Annual Awards

2023 Edition & Laureates

Excellence & Impact

In 2023, we honoured trailblazing women entrepreneurs and leaders whose ingenuity and resilience have driven sustainable economic growth across Africa.

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR

Salamba Diene

CEO, BIOSENE SAR

Senegal

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Senegal

2023 – YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR

Salamba Diene

CEO, BIOSENE SAR (Senegal)

Salamba Diene, a Sorbonne graduate with a specialisation in economic development and international project management, established Biosene Sarl in 2017 with a mission to contribute to Senegal’s development. Today, Biosene is a frontrunner in the production and transformation of agri-food and cosmetic products.

Salamba’s visionary leadership has enabled Biosene to purchase an impressive 340 metric tons of semi-finished products and raw materials from 6,600 primarily female farmers and processors, and recent partnerships with industry leaders like EDK, Star Oil, Elton, and Pridoux have expanded the availability of Biosene products to over 40 new points-of-sale.

CREATIVE INDUSTRY AWARD

Yasmina Belahsen

Founder, MayaDigital

Morocco

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Morocco

2023 – CREATIVE INDUSTRY AWARD

Yasmina Belahsen

Founder, MayaDigital (Morocco)

After starting her career in finance and organisation, Yasmina Belahsen pursued an MBA in digital marketing, which ignited her creative spark and set her on a new path. In 2015, she founded MayaDigital, a digital marketing and communication consulting agency. With a team of 25 talented individuals and over 500 independent collaborators, MayaDigital has led numerous successful collaborations with top brands and institutional organisations helping put these organisations online and elevating their digital presence.

Yasmina also founded the Tech4Good Morocco collective in 2021, with the objective of leveraging digital technologies in the education of isolated populations, specifically women and young girls.