PAWENpreneur
Awards

About the Awards

The PAWENpreneur Awards celebrate extraordinary African women entrepreneurs and corporate leaders who embody excellence, innovation, and transformational impact across diverse sectors. Hosted annually by PAWEN, this prestigious recognition shines a spotlight on the continent’s most inspiring female founders, intrapreneurs, and influential board leaders who have consistently set benchmarks in leadership, innovation, sustainability, and social impact.


Our carefully curated award categories highlight the accomplishments of visionary women who are redefining African entrepreneurship and leadership. From technology innovators and agribusiness pioneers to corporate leaders driving groundbreaking transformations, the PAWENpreneur Awards honor those whose bold ideas and unwavering dedication continue to inspire positive change.


Through rigorous evaluation and distinguished judging panels, we ensure that each award recipient represents the very best of Africa’s business landscape. Winners join an elite network of celebrated changemakers, gaining unparalleled recognition, strategic visibility, and opportunities for growth.


Join us in recognizing and celebrating the outstanding achievements of Africa’s female leaders who are not just excelling in their fields but are also empowering the next generation of women leaders.

Who can be nominated?

The PAWENpreneur Awards warmly welcome participation from African women across the globe, making significant strides in their professional careers and/or enterprises. These awards aim to spotlight these dynamic women, celebrating their triumphs and acknowledging their perseverance and dedication in their respective fields.

Nominees should:

  • Be an African Woman: Open to all women of African descent, whether living on the continent or residing elsewhere in the world.
  • Be a Professional: Whether you are a career woman climbing the corporate ladder, a public service leader or an entrepreneur carving out your path, you are welcome to be nominated or self-nominate. Nominations can be submitted by organisations for individuals.
  • Evidence of Achievements: Willing to present proof of your achievements, if required, during the judging process.
  • Age Requirement: Must be at least 18 years of age as of July 1, 2025.

Nomination Process

Participating in the PAWENpreneur Awards is a straightforward process designed to spotlight deserving candidates while ensuring a fair and thorough evaluation.

  • Nomination Period: We will be accepting nominations from the 24th of July to the 24th  of August 2025. Whether you are nominating yourself or an outstanding woman you know, this is the time to showcase achievements and successes.
  • Shortlisting: At the close of the nomination period, the top 10 nominees, per category, will be shortlisted based on the strength of nominations. Selected nominees will advance to the next stage of the process.
  • Judging: Our esteemed panel of judges will critically evaluate each of the top 10 nominations. During this phase, PAWEN may, based on the request of Judges, reach out to nominees for additional information to ensure a comprehensive assessment.
  • Decision Time: After the judges’ thorough evaluations, they will arrive at their top three finalists. The award recipients will be announced on our awards night.

Key dates

  • Nominations open: 24th July 2025
  • Nominations close: 24th August 2025
  • Judging/Evaluation Phase: September – October 2025
  • Awards Announcement: November 2025