By Editor
AGRA named the winners of the 2025 Women Agripreneurs of the Year Awards (WAYA) today at the Africa Food Systems Forum, celebrating a powerful cohort of female innovators who are reshaping Africa’s agricultural future.
The awards recognize six exceptional women who triumphed over nearly 2,000 applicants from across the continent. Their enterprises tackle critical issues from malnutrition and food waste to economic exploitation while empowering thousands of women and youth.
“Across every category, these founders have turned constraints into thriving enterprises,” said Alice Ruhweza, President of AGRA. “Their businesses prove that innovation and resilience are alive across Africa’s food systems.”
The 2025 WAYA Winners Are:Grand Prize Winner, Mathildah Amollo, Kenya Mathildah Amollo foundedGreatlakes Feeds Ltd to produce high-quality fingerlings and eco-friendly fish feeds.
Her company sources 70% of its raw materials from women farmers and provides them with credit-based fish cages, directly combating the “sex for fish” exploitation around Lake Victoria while improving nutrition and income.
Women Empowerment Champion: Juliet Kakwerre N Tumusiime, Uganda Juliette Tumusiime leadsCheveux Organique, creating Africa’s first biodegradable hair extensions from banana fibre.
She transforms agricultural waste into a high-value product, generating income for over 2,000 women in rural Uganda.
Resilient & Inspirational Leader, Julienne Olawolé Agossadou, Benin An agronomist,Julienne Agossadou founded SEDAMI – La Reine des Champignons.
Her enterprise cultivates mushrooms on beds of rice husks, empowering rural women to earn an income and improve family nutrition with minimal land and resources.
Outstanding Value-Adding Enterprise, Roberta Edu-Oyedokun, Nigeria Roberta Edu-Oyedokun runsMoppet Foods, a women-led nutrition brand.
The company creates biofortified cereals and spreads, including the world’s first fruit-infused peanut spread, to combat child malnutrition.
Female Ag-Tech Innovator, Joyce Waithira Rugano, Kenya Joyce Rugano’s company,Ecorich Solutions, tackles food waste and soil health.
She developed a solar-powered “WasteBot decomposer” that converts organic waste into fertilizer within 24 hours. Her work supports over 400 women waste collectors in Nairobi and supplies affordable fertilizer to farmers.
Young Female Agripreneur (Rising Star), Onicca Sibanyona, South Africa Onicca Sibanyona runsJwale Farms while studying food innovation.
A self-taught herbalist, she promotes resilient rural economies by providing clean water, nutritious food, and training in climate-smart agribusiness for youth and young mothers.
Regional Rising Stars from Burundi, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Malawi also received awards for their work in fish farming, soilless agriculture, natural food seasonings, and beekeeping.
Nana Yaa Boakyewaa Amoah, Director for Gender, Youth & Inclusiveness at AGRA, noted the growing strength of women-led enterprises, “We are seeing more technology-driven models, more regional trade links, and real evidence of job creation. Their success is vital to inclusive food systems transformation.”
The WAYA awards, an initiative of AGRA’s VALUE4HER program, spotlight the critical role women play in building a more sustainable and equitable food system across Africa.
