From nearly 2,000 applications across 44 African countries, only 15 women have emerged as the shining finalists of the AGRA-VALUE4HER Women Agripreneurs of the Year Awards (WAYA2025).
Drawn from 11 countries, these remarkable women are not just building businesses they are cultivating food security, resilience, jobs, climate-smart innovation and inclusive growth. Their stories reflect the power of African entrepreneurship when rooted in purpose, vision and courage.
The winners will be unveiled at the Africa Food Systems Forum in Dakar (31 August – 5 September 2025). But today, we spotlight the extraordinary journeys of these women who are already shaping Africa’s agricultural future.
Outstanding Value-Adding Enterprise Finalists
1. Amie Bangura – Founder and CEO, Mamaafro Investment SL Ltd (Sierra Leone)
With 500 acres of boli farmland under her stewardship, Amie Bangura has positioned Mamaafro as a powerhouse in rice and vegetable production. Her mission? Clear and powerful:
“I am currently engaged in Agriculture, we have been able to secure 500 acres of boli farm in Sierra Leone. We embark on rice and vegetable production. Our mission is to empower youths and women Through Agriculture.”
Her story is one of scale and empowerment a blueprint for how agriculture can transform communities.
2. Roberta Edu – Founder, Moppet Foods (Nigeria)
From IT expert and digital media pioneer to global food entrepreneur, Roberta’s journey is nothing short of iconic. Her brand, Moppet Foods made history as the first Nigerian organic baby cereal to land on Walmart shelves in the U.S.
With a track record of shaping campaigns for Samsung, MTN, MasterCard, P&G and government programs, Roberta pivoted into entrepreneurship with African Startup TV and Liquid Studio, before founding Moppet Foods. She represents the fusion of tech, nutrition and African pride on the world stage.
3. Korotimi Sanon – PDG, TIMI MULTI SERVICES SAS (Burkina Faso)
Korotimi’s business is rewriting the poultry industry’s future. She describes her recognition with gratitude and clarity:
“This recognition highlights the impact of TIMI MULTI SERVICES SAS in local poultry processing, promoting food security, and empowering women and youth.Together, we are building a stronger and more sustainable poultry value chain in Burkina Faso and across Africa.”
Her words echo the heart of her mission: creating sustainable value chains that feed communities and empower farmers.
Female AgTech Innovator Finalists
4. Joyce Rugano – Founder, EcoRich Solutions (Kenya)
Joyce is the visionary behind Wastebot, an AI-powered machine that converts organic waste into fertilizer in just 24 hours. Through EcoRich, she has touched the lives of 7,000+ farmers and 550 women and youth while tackling waste pollution and fertilizer shortages.
Her conviction shines through:
“I am not just building a company; I am building a movement to transform how Africa tackles waste, food insecurity, and unemployment. Real change begins when we dare to innovate with purpose.
“A heartfelt thank you to VALUE4HER / WAYA and AGRA for recognizing and empowering women agripreneurs who are driving innovation and shaping the future of African agriculture. Together, we are building food systems that are resilient, inclusive, and sustainable.”
5. Yanda Olga – Founder, WaziEats (Cameroon)
Olga’s candid reflections on the grueling yet rewarding startup journey bring authenticity:
“At times, it becomes so tough that I just want to give up until I remind myself: this isn’t a self-journey. The mission has always been clear — creating wealth for the informal actors of the agrichain.”
Her resilience, rooted in collaboration and vision, has shaped WaziEats Proximity, a foodtech solution bridging Africa’s informal agrichain actors with opportunity.
6. Sabina Marie Rose – CEO, Green Energy Technology Ltd (Rwanda)
Representing Rwanda with pride, Sabina is an Engineer championing AI, IoT and green energy–powered cold chain logistics to fight post-harvest losses. She captures the spirit of her selection with humility:
“Out of nearly 2,000 applications across 44 African countries, it is inspiring to see women-led agribusinesses driving climate-smart solutions, job creation, and stronger food systems.”
Resilient and Inspirational Leader Finalists
7. Josephine Takundwa – Founder, Earthlink Technologies and Sesame for Life (Zimbabwe)
For Josephine, the WAYA recognition validates years of grit:
“To be in the Top 15 is a huge privilege and honour! This is not only for me, but for Zimbabwe. It means climate action and resilience initiatives that empower communities do exist here, and they are worthy of recognition.”
Her ventures span from exporting sesame to global markets to power solutions for telecoms, mining, and healthcare a dual commitment to sustainability and industrial resilience.
8. Julienne Agossadou – CEO at SEDAMI LA REINE DES CHAMPIGNONS (Benin)
Julienne is pioneering healthy living through affordable vegan foods while also advancing mushroom production in Benin. Julienne is passionate about adding value to local food resources and creating jobs. She specializes in mushroom production for their nutritional and medicinal benefits.
With support from RUFORUM, she earned a Master’s in Agronomy at the University of Abomey-Calavi and later became a Mandela Washington Fellow at the University of Iowa, where she trained in business and mushroom seed production. She innovated by adapting the technique to use affordable rice waste in Benin.
Julienne has won several awards, including the Young African Entrepreneur Award, and empowers rural women in Benin through her “She Leads” project. She is now building a mushroom production network to meet the growing demand locally and beyond.
9. Yvette Sivaketya (DRC)
Recognized in the same category, Yvette’s journey underscores resilience and leadership in agribusiness from the DRC, with her work highlighting women’s central role in transforming food systems.
Young Female Agripreneur (Rising Stars) Finalists
10. Baliqees Salaudeen-Ibrahim – CEO and Co-Founder, Green Republic Farms (Nigeria)
A dynamic climate-smart farmer and social entrepreneur, Baliqees is merging agriculture with storytelling and gender advocacy. Her enterprise champions sustainable food production, youth inclusion and women’s empowerment in Nigeria.
11. Elie Mbeki – Director General, Épices La Fleur (DRC)
Both an agronomic engineer and a chef, Elie blends science, sustainability and culinary excellence to elevate African agriculture.
12. Onicca Sibanyoni – Founder, Jwale Corporations (South Africa)
Through aquaponics farming, Onicca is building short food supply chains to fight climate change and boost food security. Her vision is rooted in innovation and impact.
Women Empowerment Champion Finalists
13. Juliet Tumusiime (Uganda)
Juliet is a platform builder and trade advocate, amplifying entrepreneurial voices and breaking barriers in trade and skills development across Uganda and beyond.
14. Mathilda Omollo (Kenya)
Mathilda is shaping change at the grassroots part of a generation of Kenyan women ensuring women’s voices remain central to agribusiness leadership.
15. Sharon Chingwaro – Founder, Mambokadzi Bath & Body (Zimbabwe)
Sharon merges ethno-medicine, hydrotherapy and African tradition into a thriving natural skincare brand. Her strong educational foundation has enabled her to develop innovative solutions that cater to the unique needs of women.
With multiple awards and recognition, Sharon is both a women’s health advocate and entrepreneur, proving wellness is a powerful sector within agribusiness.
A Collective Force
These women are not just finalists; they are system changers. From Sierra Leone’s rice fields to Walmart shelves in the U.S., from Kenyan AI waste solutions to aquaponics farms in South Africa, they represent a future where Africa feeds itself and powers itself sustainably and inclusively.
As we await the winners’ announcement in Dakar, one thing is clear: the WAYA 2025 finalists have already won in courage, in impact and in reimagining Africa’s agricultural future.
