AGRA has officially launched the call for applications for the 2024 Women Agripreneurs of the Year Awards (WAYA).
WAYA is a prestigious award scheme that recognises female agripreneurs demonstrating remarkable innovation and business excellence in agricultural value chains. The awards not only celebrate their remarkable achievements but also reward them with grants of up to $300,000.
Since 2021, the awards have been distributed across three categories – Young Female Agripreneur (for those under the age of 35 years and have demonstrated innovation and leadership in business), Female Agriculture Tech Innovator (those championing technological advancement in agribusiness) and, Outstanding Value Adding Enterprise (for female-owned agribusinesses that are increasing the economic value and/or consumer appeal to agricultural products), with the coveted Grand Prize Winner being the overall winner of the competition.
However, beginning in 2024, AGRA has introduced regional winners in the Young Female Agripreneurs category and also added two exciting new categories: Women Empowerment Champion (recognising female agripreneurs who exhibit a deliberate commitment to creating opportunities for other women to grow their own agribusinesses) and a Resilient & Inspirational Leader (recognising female agripreneurs from marginalised communities or vulnerable and hard-to-reach areas who, despite facing significant challenges demonstrate unwavering determination, strength, and perseverance to excel in agribusiness).
Applications will close on May 31, 2024, with the winning agripreneurs being unveiled during the Africa Food Systems Forum (formerly AGRF) to be held in Kigali Rwanda from 2nd to 6th September 2024.
To be eligible, businesses must operate within an agricultural or agribusiness value chain, be legally registered in an African Union country, and be at least 51% owned and managed by women who are citizens of one of the 55 African countries.
Speaking at the event, AGRA’s Lead for Gender Integration and Acting Director for the Youth, Gender, and Inclusiveness Division, Ms. Winnie Osulah said: “We received over 1,500 applications from women across 38 African countries in 2023. As we open the awards again this year, we expect to receive at least 500 applications in each category and continue our efforts to honour the relentless efforts, creative ideas, and outstanding leadership by women in the agri-food sector.”
