The winners of the 2024 Awa Prize are known

The third Awa Prize contest ran from 12 June to 17 September 2024. This year’s competition honours women entrepreneurs in the cultural and creative industries. At the end of the selection process, four winners stood out. They will be awarded in November.

Entries for the third edition of the Awa Prize were open from 12 June to 28 June 2024. During these three weeks, women entrepreneurs working in the cultural and creative industries in Awa Prise partner countries could try their luck at winning tailor-made support. No less than 1,300 women applied.

Selection process

To enter the competition, candidates had to meet a series of eligibility criteria: The organising team assessed criteria such as nationality, proof that the candidate had founded a company, and sector of activity. The candidates with the greatest societal impact were then invited to an initial interview with the Awa Prize team and member of staff of Enabel.

Four contenders competed in an online vote for the ‘People’s Choice Award’. More than 14,000 internet users rallied to support their favourite women entrepreneur.

As for the ‘Start-up’, ‘Scale-up’ and ‘Innovation’ categories, 9 finalists presented their careers and their companies to the final jury. This year, the final jury comprised people from Belgium’s Directorate-General Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid, from BIO Invest and from organisations in the arts and culture sectors in Belgium and internationally. After deliberation, a winner was chosen for each prize category.

Four champions of the cultural and creative industries

We are delighted to announce the four winners of the 2024 edition of the Awa Prize:

Sonia Guiza – Start-up Winner – Côte d’Ivoire

Sonia Guiza’s company, Lagozi Entertainment, is taking African cinema beyond the big cities and beyond borders through theatre screenings, caravans in rural areas, distribution on television and Video on Demand platforms. The company is giving African cinema pride of place and provides a wide audience access to this important cultural component.

Janet Kabugho – ‘Scale-up’ winner – Uganda

Through craftwork Janet Kabugho moved up from a modest background and emancipated herself. After studying in Kampala, she decided to help displaced people. This led her to establish the Skills Centrum Rwenzori, which trains rural women in weaving and handicrafts techniques.

Adja Soro – ‘Innovation’ Winner – Côte d’Ivoire

It is only one step from microfinance to animation. Adja Soro took that step and founded her own company, Studio Kä. Her production company designs and produces feature films and series that tell authentic and inspiring stories. They are distributed on television, on streaming platforms and in cinemas.

Aïcha Macky – ‘People’s Choice’ Winner – Niger

Even as a child, Aïcha Macky had a passion for acting and directing. As an adult, she turned her love of cinema into a profession and became a film director. She then decided to launch Tabou Production, to address sensitive topics. She broadcasts her reports in original locations such as schools, places of worship and bus terminals.

Follow Enabel on social media to find out more about the winners. Their stories will be shared with you over the coming months.