The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has announced the opening of the 2025 Women Agripreneurs of the Year Awards (WAYA), offering up to $300,000 (about K540 million in grants to female agribusiness innovators across the continent, including Malawi.
The prestigious award, now in its fifth year, recognizes women driving innovation and excellence in Africa’s agricultural value chains. AGRA made the announcement during its International Women’s Day commemoration in Accra, Ghana, held under the theme “Accelerating Action: For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”
The awards, which are now open for applications until May 31, aim to spotlight women who are transforming agriculture into a commercially viable and inclusive sector. Winners will be unveiled during the Africa Food Systems Forum scheduled for September in Dakar, Senegal.
AGRA’s Director for Gender, Youth and Inclusiveness, Nana Yaa Boakyewaa Amoah, said more than 1,500 applications were received in 2024, with representation from 44 African countries.
“This year, we expect to receive at least 500 applications in each category,” Amoah said. “WAYA continues to honor the relentless efforts, creative ideas, and outstanding leadership by women in the agri-food sector.”
The awards are spread across five categories:
- Young Female Agripreneur (Rising Star)
- Female AgTech Innovator
- Outstanding Value-Adding Enterprise
- Women Empowerment Champion
- Resilient & Inspirational Leader
Each category winner will receive $25,000, while the overall grand prize winner will walk away with $40,000. The total prize pool across categories amounts to $300,000.
AGRA introduced regional winners in the Young Female Agripreneurs category last year and added two new categories to reflect the evolving landscape: “Women Empowerment Champion” for agripreneurs creating opportunities for others, and “Resilient & Inspirational Leader” for women from marginalized communities who overcome significant challenges in agribusiness.
In Malawi, two trailblazing women were among the 2024 winners. Tonthoza Uganja was recognized in the Young Female Agripreneur category, while Fannie Gondwe, founder of Perisha Agro, was awarded the Women Empowerment Champion prize for reaching over 800,000 households and training more than 6,000 smallholder farmers—80% of whom are women. Gondwe received $25,000 in recognition of her work.
To qualify for the awards, businesses must be at least 51% women-owned and operated, legally registered in an African Union country, and actively involved in agricultural or agribusiness value chains.
Applications are open through the WAYA portal at https://waya.awardsplatform.com.
WAYA is a flagship initiative of AGRA’s VALUE4HER platform, which aims to strengthen women-led agribusinesses and elevate their voice in shaping Africa’s agricultural policy and practice.
AGRA, founded in 2006, operates in 11 African countries and seeks to transform smallholder agriculture into a sustainable, commercially viable business that boosts food security and income for millions of African farmers.
