At the recent event hosted by AGRA at the Childa Events Centre in Abuja to mark International Women’s Day, the call for the 2024 Women Agripreneurs of the Year Awards was officially launched.

WAYA stands as a prestigious accolade honoring female agripreneurs who exhibit exceptional innovation and business prowess within agricultural value chains.

Winnie Osulah, AGRA’s Lead for Gender Integration and Acting Director for the Youth, Gender, and Inclusiveness Division, remarked during the event that in 2023, they received over 1,500 applications from women spanning 38 African countries.

“As we unveil the awards again this year, we anticipate a minimum of 500 applications in each category, continuing our commitment to recognizing the relentless efforts, innovative ideas, and exceptional leadership of women in the agri-food sector,” Osulah emphasized.

Since 2021, the awards have been distributed across three categories: young female agripreneurs (those under 35 years demonstrating innovation and leadership in business), female agriculture tech innovators (pioneers of technological advancement in agribusiness), and outstanding value-adding enterprise (female-owned agribusinesses enhancing economic value and consumer appeal of agricultural products).

The ultimate victor of the competition attains the esteemed Grand Prize Winner title.

These awards not only celebrate remarkable accomplishments but also offer grants of up to $300,000 to recipients.