37 Kenyans Shine In Young Women Founders Awards [LIST]

37 Kenyan women founders defied their counterparts from Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa during the SHE Awards held on Wednesday, November 15 in Nairobi.

SHE Awards exists to recognize and appreciate women founders developing our nations while creating jobs through entrepreneurship; and also motivate the ones who are yet to start their businesses.

"What makes SHE AWARDS unique is the impact it has on young women entrepreneurs. Rather than 
awarding successful seasoned entrepreneurs, we award the young women founders running startups.

"Entrepreneurs create employment opportunities not only for themselves but for others as well 
influencing a country’s economic performance. Since its debut in the year 2021 in Kenya, SHE Awards has been able to recognize women who are creating change and impacting communities. In 2023, SHE Awards expanded its wings into Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa," describes a press release in part sent to Viral Tea.

Women founders at the SHE Awards ceremony on November 15, 2023. /SHE AWARDS

Themed "See Her Empowered," the 2023 edition of SHE AWARDS served as a rallying call to celebrate women's empowerment and encouraged stakeholders to contribute to this cause in diverse capacities.

The event not only recognized outstanding women entrepreneurs but also aimed to foster inter-Africa trade among women in business.

The prestigious SHE Awards ceremony took place at the Simba-Corp Aspire Center in Westlands, Nairobi and brought together trailblazing women from different sectors, providing a platform to share success stories, foster collaborations, and inspire the next generation of women entrepreneurs.

"SHE AWARDS continues to be a beacon of empowerment, recognizing the pivotal role women play in driving economic growth, job creation, and community development. As SHE AWARDS looks forward to future editions, the commitment to celebrating and supporting women in entrepreneurship remains unwavering," added the statement.

Winners were recognized in 15 different categories for Under 30 and Over 30 Founders. They include (Kenyan winners in bold except for clean sweep):

Founder of The Year

Under 30

1. Barbara Sunguti - Kenya Winner
2. Faith Israel - Kenya 1st Runner up
3. Victory Mesona - Nigeria 2nd Runner-up

Over 30

1. Beryl Itindi - Kenya Winner
2. Fridah Keitany - Kenya 1st Runner-up
3. Maleti Fakude - South Africa 2nd Runner up

Social Founder of The Year

Under 30

1. Clare Brenda Mugambi - Kenya Winner
2. Khathutshelo Tshivhase - South Africa 1st Runner-up
3. Maureen Mubaiwa - South Africa 2nd Runner-up

Over 30

1. Dr Margaret Kagwe - Kenya Winner
2. Patricia Mwangi - Kenya 1st Runner-up
3. Emma Akua Mettle - Ghana 2nd Runner-up

Techpreneur of The Year

Under 30

1. Vivian Nyaga - Kenya Winner
2. Fatima Dawud - Nigeria 1st Runner-up
3. Betty Kirika - Kenya 2nd Runner-up

Over 30

1. Margaret Muigai - Kenya Winner
2. Rose Ellah Nyawira Ngari - Kenya 1st Runner up
3. Mavis Achiaa Amoah - Ghana 2nd Runner-up

Fashionpreneur of The Year

Under 30

1. Amanda Odartey - Ghana Winner
2. Asmau Shema - Nigeria 1st Runner up
3. Christine Fadhili Kalibanya - Kenya 2nd Runner-up

Over 30

1. Bettybetty Kathambi - Kenya Winner
2. Cynthia Aketch - Kenya 1st Runner-up
3. Mahlori Khosa - South Africa 2nd Runner-up

Most Promising Founder of The Year

Under 30

1. Ivy Getanda - Kenya Winner
2. Sandra Agyakwaa Oduro - Ghana 1st Runner-up
3. Victoria Nambute - Kenya 2nd Runner-up

Over 30

1. Rayhab Gitari - Kenya Winner
2. Juliette Hunter - Kenya 1st Runner-up
3. Thando Mpama - South Africa 2nd Runner-up

Agripreneur of The Year

Under 30

1. Masabata Sebusi - South Africa Winner
2. Freda Gizel - Ghana 1st Runner up
3. Monic Etim - Nigeria 2nd Runner-up

Over 30

1. Veronica Esi Ramos - Ghana Winner
2. Winfred Wambugu - Kenya 1st Runner up
3. Khethiwe promise Maseko - South Africa 2nd Runner-up

Realtor of The Year

Under 30

Dorcas Dau - Kenya Winner

Over 30

1. Esther Mwende - Kenya Winner
2. Lesego Thombo - South Africa 1st Runner-up
3. Mary Muturi - Kenya 2nd Runner-up

Edupreneur of The Year

Under 30

1. Rotshidzwa Maphupha - South Africa Winner
2. Adenike Adejuwon - Nigeria 1st Runner up
3. Mary Amponsah - Ghana 2nd Runner-up

Women founders pose with their awards during the SHE Awards ceremony on November 15, 2023. /SHE AWARDS

Over 30

1. Azola Mditshwa - South Africa Winner
2. Dipuo Lekalakala - South Africa 1st Runner up
3. Sibonelo Khupe - South Africa 2nd Runner-up

Foodpreneur of The Year

Under 30

1. Bomunu Loveth Samuel Ikoko - Nigeria Winner
2. Ann Njenga - Kenya 1st Runner-up
3. Lennah Wanja - Kenya 2nd Runner up

Over 30

1. Nafeesah Dante - South Africa Winner
2. Chichi Eriobu - Nigeria 1st Runner-up
3. Theodora Kissiedu - Ghana 2nd Runner up

Healthpreneur of The Year

Under 30

1. Sonia Ndike - Kenya Winner
2. Silvia Wambui - Kenya 1st Runner-up
3. Mary Maina - Kenya 2nd Runner-up

Over 30

1. Mampe Elisa Konyama - South Africa Winner
2. Sophia Mensah Boduwah - Ghana 1st Runner-up
3. Doris Essiet - Nigeria 2nd Runner-up

Entertainment Founder of The Year

Under 30

1. Sylvia Kabeyi - Kenya Winner
2. Sophia Clement - Nigeria 1st Runner-up

Over 30

1. Violet Namatsi - Kenya Winner
2. Portia Ncwane - South Africa 1st Runner-up

Mediapreneur of The Year

Under 30

1. Jael Keya - Kenya Winner
2. Cynthia Osajibenedict - South Africa 1st Runner-up
3. Brenda Koech - Kenya 2nd Runner-up

Over 30

1. Elizabeth Kisyang'a - Kenya Winner
2. Jasmine Wambui - Kenya 1st Runner-up
3. Rachel Opinya - Kenya 2nd Runner-up

Manufacturing Founder of The Year

Under 30

1. Cindy Mkwanazi - South Africa Winner
2. Nomfundo Ndlovu - South Africa 1st Runner-up
3. Dorcas Agada - Nigeria 2nd Runner-up

Over 30

1. Nontsikelelo Magwaza - South Africa Winner
2. Lerato Mashabela - South Africa 1st Runner-up
3. Nthabiseng Selomo - South Africa 2nd Runner up

FinFounder of The Year

Under 30

Jennifer Awirigwe - Nigeria Winner

Over 30

Blessing Ugboma - Nigeria Winner

Retail Founder of The Year

Under 30

1. Abigael Rop - Kenya Winner
2. Oluwatomilola Kayode-Ojo - Nigeria 1st Runner up
3. Priscilla Nganga - Kenya 2nd Runner-up

Over 30

1. Therestella Tei-Kwabla - Ghana Winner
2. Rachael Ncube - South Africa 1st Runner up
3. Christine Otieno - Kenya 2nd Runner-up