A wave of African innovation is making headlines. Seven women entrepreneurs from across the continent were named among the finalists for the 2025 Women Entrepreneurs Award, an initiative by the Bayer Foundation in partnership with the Impact Hub Network.
The announcement spotlighted 30 women-led ventures from Africa, the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and Latin America that transform health systems and food security solutions in their communities and beyond.
The finalists were chosen from over 1,700 applicants representing 95 countries, a response that underscores the global demand for innovative, locally grounded solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
According to the World Health Organization, more than half of the global population — over 4.5 billion people — still lack access to essential health services, while 733 million people remain undernourished.
“Selecting just 30 finalists from such a strong pool of applications was a difficult task,” said Jana op den Winkel, Program Manager at the Bayer Foundation. “We are proud to see such a diverse group of women leaders pushing forward real, scalable solutions for health and food security, especially from the African continent.”
African Finalists at a Glance:
- Koki Sammy — Silo Africa Networks Ltd, Kenya
Koki Sammy is leading Silo Africa Networks Ltd, a venture focused on providing digital solutions for smarter grain storage and better market access for farmers. This innovative approach helps reduce post-harvest losses, improve food security, and empower smallholder farmers in Kenya by connecting them to storage facilities and markets for better prices. - Mathildah Amollo — GREATLAKES FEEDS LTD, Kenya
GREATLAKES FEEDS LTD, founded by Mathildah Amollo, produces affordable and sustainable animal feeds. The company supports food systems in Kenya and empowers women and youth by providing training and resources for fish farming, ultimately contributing to economic growth and improved nutrition. - Penny Musengi — Pesira Limited, Kenya
Pesira Limited, founded by Penny Musengi, is providing innovative livestock insurance and risk management tools to safeguard smallholder farmers in Kenya. The company offers financial protection against climate-related shocks, enhancing the resilience of farming communities and promoting food security. - Chiedza Mushawedu — ZimbosAbantu Healthcare on Wheels, Zimbabwe
ZimbosAbantu Healthcare on Wheels, led by Chiedza Mushawedu, is bringing healthcare services directly to rural communities through mobile clinics. This initiative addresses the lack of access to essential health services in underserved areas, improving health outcomes and overall community well-being. - Anaporka Adazabra — Farmio, Ghana
Farmio, founded by Anaporka Adazabra, uses precision agriculture to improve yields, reduce waste, and empower small-scale farmers. Through data-driven insights and resources, Farmio is helping farmers optimize their farming practices, contributing to food security and sustainability in Ghana.
- Salma Tammam — Reme-D, Egypt
Reme-D is a health-tech startup providing affordable, rapid diagnostic kits tailored for underserved markets. The kits are designed to be easy to use, cost-efficient, and stable at room temperature, eliminating the need for cold-chain storage. Salma Tammam founded the company to bridge gaps in medical testing access exposed during the pandemic. Her venture is already supplying hospitals and labs across Egypt and expanding regionally. - Alaa Hamadto — Solar Foods, Egypt
Solar Foods is a sustainability-driven company introducing solar-powered systems for food production and preservation. The venture helps small-scale farmers reduce post-harvest losses by providing energy-efficient storage and processing solutions. Health and food systems through innovation, community insight, and technology.
What’s Next
In the final week of April, the 15 winners of the Women Entrepreneurs Awards will be announced. These winners will embark on a transformative journey aimed at amplifying their impact and scaling their ventures. Each of them will receive a €25,000 cash prize to expand their operations and deepen their community engagement.
Over the following six months, the winners will also participate in an Accelerator Programme designed to refine their business models, explore new market opportunities, and tackle growth challenges. They will also receive personalized mentorship from industry leaders, who will offer valuable insights and support to help unlock their full potential.
As part of the Bayer Foundation and Impact Hub ecosystems, the winners will connect with a global network of innovators, fostering collaborations that will drive meaningful change. Their journey will culminate in a sponsored trip to Istanbul for the award ceremony, which will take place during the Global Sustainable Development Congress from June 16–19. There, they will celebrate their achievements and the positive impact they have made.
At a time when health and food systems are under increasing strain, these African women entrepreneurs are demonstrating that local leadership and innovation can spark transformative global change.
ABOUT BAYER FOUNDATION AND IMPACTHUB FOUNDATION
The Bayer Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Bayer AG, focused on improving lives by supporting initiatives in health, agriculture, and sustainability. It fosters innovation and entrepreneurship through grants and programs like the Women Entrepreneurs Award, which empowers women tackling global challenges in health and food security.
The Impact Hub Network is a global community of entrepreneurs and innovators dedicated to creating positive social impact. With over 100 locations worldwide, it provides resources such as co-working spaces, mentorship, and networking opportunities to support social entrepreneurs in scaling their ventures.
