Outstanding Value-Adding Enterprise

This category recognizes a woman-led enterprise that transforms raw agricultural produce into higher-value, safer, better-packaged or more market-ready products, all whilst creating jobs, improving quality and shelf life and increasing incomes for producers and workers.

Selection Criteria

Is your enterprise ready to make an impact? Check out the criteria to see what we look for in applicants

Minimum requirements to qualify

Check the minimum requirements your enterprise must meet to qualify for this award category.

Founder or co-founder is a woman aged 18–35 years
Business has been operational for at least 1 year
Demonstrates innovation, ambition, and early impact
Business is based and operating in Africa

Selection Criteria

Woman-led enterprise (founder/CEO or majority ownership/leadership with proof, such as company share certificate demonstrating woman or women ownership of at least 51% of the company).
Clear value-addition activity (processing/fortification/packaging/quality upgrade)
Strong commercial performance or growth trajectory (sales, customers, contracts, market expansion).
Evidence of improved product quality and/or reduced post-harvest loss (shelf-life, standards, waste reduction).
Demonstrated supply-chain linkages (smallholder sourcing, farmer groups, local procurement).
Jobs created or sustained (especially for women and youth).
Environmental responsibility (resource efficiency, circularity, waste-to-value where relevant).
Clear plan to scale production and market reach.

Eligibility Criteria

Founder or co-founder is a woman aged 18–35 years
Business has been operational for at least 1 year
Demonstrates innovation, ambition, and early impact
Business is based and operating in Africa

Previous Winners in this Category

These past winners exemplify excellence, innovation, and impact within this award category. Their journeys highlight the diverse ways women agripreneurs are transforming agricultural value chains across Africa.

Lucy Chioma Aniagolu 12

The world of agriculture is ripe with opportunity in Africa, but traditional learning methods often leave people behind. That’s why...

Lucy Chioma Aniagolu 11

The world of agriculture is ripe with opportunity in Africa, but traditional learning methods often leave people behind. That’s why...

Lucy Chioma Aniagolu 10

The world of agriculture is ripe with opportunity in Africa, but traditional learning methods often leave people behind. That’s why...

Criteria	Area of focus	Evidence/documents
Nationality	- Must be a citizen of one of the 55 African countries	- National ID/ Passport
Gender	Must be female
Legality of business	- Must be a Registered business in an African country - Must be Operational and registered for agribusiness - Must be registered to pay tax	- Certificate of incorporation - Trading license for 2025, 2026 - Tax registration
Management and ownership	- 51% of shares must be owned and controlled by females who are citizens of the 55 African countries - Daily operations must be controlled by one or more women who are citizens of one of the 55 African countries.	- Evidence of ownership of shares- MOU, AOA, or Particulars of directors - An organizational structure with members and evidence of employment/ position
Participation in previous awards	- Must not have won any Award in at most two previous WAYA Awards
Criminal Record	- Must have no criminal record - related to corruption, tax evasion, financial impropriety, felony, or other offense.	- Run by AGRA procurement (Know Your supply process)
Ethical Considerations	- Must be compliant and adhere to a number of various ethical standards concerning the business entity.	- Run by AGRA procurement (Know Your supply process)