Graça Machel, the former first lady of Mozambique and founder of the Graca Machel Trust, spoke during the International Women’s Day celebrations in Maputo, Mozambique, on 9 March 2026. Photo: Supplied

Women across Africa’s agricultural sector were celebrated during the launch of the 2026 Women Agripreneurs of the Year Awards, highlighting the growing role of female entrepreneurs in transforming the continent’s agrifood systems.

The event was organized by AGRA through its VALUE4HER initiative, marking International Women’s Day 2026 with a high-level gathering in Maputo, Mozambique.

Held at the Joaquim Chissano International Conference Centre, the event also officially opened applications for the 2026 Women Agripreneurs of the Year (WAYA) Awards.

Celebrating Women’s Role in Africa’s Agrifood Systems

Under the theme “Give Agency to Gain Growth,” the gathering brought together women agripreneurs, policymakers and development partners to spotlight the vital role women play in agricultural innovation and entrepreneurship.

Women make up nearly half of the agrifood workforce in sub-Saharan Africa, with more than 75% of employed women engaged in farming activities. Across the continent, women are leading farmer organisations, building agribusinesses and developing solutions that strengthen food security and economic resilience.

Speaking virtually at the event, Alice Ruhweza emphasized the importance of investing in women-led enterprises.

“Women are not just participants in Africa’s agrifood systems; they are innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders driving transformation,” she said. “Investing in women’s agency and leadership unlocks growth not only for women-led businesses but for Africa’s food systems and economies.”

Leaders Highlight Women’s Impact

The event featured prominent African leaders, including Graça Machel, founder of the Graça Machel Trust, who addressed participants during the celebrations.

Benvinda Levi also highlighted the central role of women agripreneurs in boosting agricultural productivity, strengthening food systems and supporting inclusive economic development.

Meanwhile, Nana Yaa Boakyewaa Amoah reiterated the need for stronger support systems that enable women to access land, finance, markets and other productive resources.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), providing women farmers with equal access to productive resources could increase farm yields by 20–30% and potentially reduce global hunger by up to 17%.

About the WAYA Awards

Launched in 2021, the Women Agripreneurs of the Year Awards have become one of Africa’s leading platforms for recognizing women entrepreneurs across agricultural value chains.

The initiative supports women-led agribusinesses that demonstrate innovation, leadership and strong business performance.

Winners of the awards receive grants of up to $300,000 to help scale their enterprises and expand their impact across the agricultural sector.

Growing Participation Across Africa

Interest in the awards has grown significantly since their launch. In 2025, nearly 2,000 applicants competed for the recognition, with finalists presenting innovations in:

• Agricultural value addition
• Ag-tech solutions
• Sustainable farming practices
• Community leadership

Participants came from countries including Benin, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda.

Applications Now Open

Applications for the 2026 WAYA Awards are now open to women-led agribusinesses across Africa and will close on May 8, 2026.

Interested applicants can find more details about eligibility criteria and the application process on AGRA and VALUE4HER’s official social media platforms, including LinkedIn, X and Facebook.

The awards continue to serve as a platform to empower women entrepreneurs and strengthen Africa’s agricultural value chains, reinforcing the critical role women play in building resilient food systems across the continent.