AGRA Opens Applications for 2026 WAYA Awards to Honour Women Transforming Africa’s Agrifood Systems

AGRA has opened applications for 2026 WAYA Awards to honour women transforming Africa’s Agrifood Systems.

 

NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa has celebrated the role of women driving Africa’s agrifood transformation while officially opening applications for the 2026 Women Agripreneurs of the Year Awards (WAYA).

 

The announcement was made during an event organised by AGRA through its VALUE4HER initiative to mark International Women’s Day in Maputo, Mozambique.

 

The gathering, held at the Joaquim Chissano International Conference Center, brought together women agripreneurs, policymakers, and development partners to celebrate women advancing inclusive agricultural transformation across Africa.

 

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Women make up nearly half of the agrifood workforce in sub-Saharan Africa, with more than three-quarters of employed women working across the agrifood value chain from managing farms and leading farmer organisations to building agribusinesses and developing innovative solutions that strengthen food security and economic resilience.

 

Despite these contributions, structural barriers such as limited access to finance, markets, land, and productive resources continue to constrain women’s full participation in agriculture.

 

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, closing these gaps could significantly transform global food systems. The organisation estimates that if women farmers had equal access to productive resources as men, their yields could increase by 20–30 percent, potentially reducing global hunger by up to 17 percent.

 

Speaking virtually at the event, AGRA President Alice Ruhweza said International Women’s Day represents more than a moment of celebration.

 

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

 

The event was also attended by Maria Benvinda Levy, who highlighted the importance of empowering women to drive economic growth and resilience.

 

According to Levy, Mozambique’s National Program for the Eradication of Poverty prioritises improving living conditions, reducing social inequalities, and supporting inclusive development, with women agripreneurs playing a key role in strengthening food systems and expanding economic opportunities.

 

During the event, AGRA also announced the opening of applications for the 2026 Women Agripreneurs of the Year Awards (WAYA), a flagship initiative recognising women demonstrating innovation, leadership, and business excellence across agricultural value chains.

 

Launched in 2021, the awards have become a major platform for spotlighting women-led agribusinesses across Africa. Winners receive grants of up to $300,000 to scale their enterprises and expand their impact.

 

The winners of the 2026 edition will be announced at the Africa Food Systems Forum scheduled to hold in Kigali, Rwanda, in September.

 

Last year’s awards attracted nearly 2,000 applicants from across the continent, showcasing innovations in agri-tech, value addition, community leadership, and sustainable farming in countries including Benin, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda.

 

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