The Gender Leader Award acknowledges those organisations operating in Africa that have shown a significant and continuous commitment to gender diversity and inclusion. It is part of the Africa CEO Forum’s larger objective to provide practical, innovative solutions that empower African businesses and promote sustainable, inclusive development.

In a clear signal that local innovation, when properly supported, can scale rapidly and sustainably, solar fintech company, Wetility, is fast emerging as one of South Africa’s most dynamic renewable energy companies. Backed in its early stages by the MultiChoice Innovation Fund (MIF), Wetility has fully repaid its loan well ahead of schedule.

Baobab Group has sold its majority stake in Baobab+ to renewable energy firm BioLite, in a move that sharpens Baobab’s financial services focus and boosts Baobab+’s off-grid solar expansion across Africa. Baobab+, which operates in Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Madagascar, has provided solar energy solutions to over 425,000 households.

Ghana-based clean energy startup Kofa has closed an $8.1 million pre-Series A round to expand its AI-powered battery-swapping network across urban Africa. Launched in 2022, Kofa has quickly grown its battery-swapping service and is driving change in the clean energy sector by providing reliable, clean energy.