Following the successful launch of applications across eight territories in the Indian Ocean region, the Women Entrepreneur Awards (WEA) is preparing to mark a historic milestone with the opening night of its first regional edition. The launch event will take place on 1 August 2026 at The Dome, SPARC, Medine, bringing together women entrepreneurs, institutional partners, sponsors, and key stakeholders from across the region for an evening dedicated to celebration, connection, and recognition.
Since its creation, WEA has grown from a platform celebrating Mauritian women entrepreneurs into a regional movement spanning Mauritius and Rodrigues, Madagascar, Seychelles, La Réunion, Comoros, Mayotte and the Maldives. This third edition marks the first time the awards have extended their reach across the Indian Ocean, reflecting both the ambition of its founder and the growing appetite across the region for a platform that truly champions women in business.
The opening night will serve as the official unveiling of this year’s finalists, with the full list of candidates to be announced on the evening. For further details on the event, including timings and attendance, follow WEA’s official social media channels.
Kirti Sheonarain, Founder of the Women Entrepreneur Awards, expressed her enthusiasm ahead of the event. “We have been truly moved by the number and quality of applications we received for this first regional edition. Women entrepreneurs from across the Indian Ocean have stepped forward to share their stories, their journeys and their achievements, and it is both humbling and energising. We cannot wait to announce the candidates on opening night and to celebrate, alongside our partners and the wider community, the remarkable women who make up this year’s edition.”
The event is made possible through the support of partners who share WEA’s conviction that investing in women entrepreneurs is investing in the future of the region. Medine Group, one of this year’s key partners, reaffirmed its commitment to the initiative. Heba Capdevila Jangeerkhan, CEO of Medine Group, said: “Empowering women entrepreneurs means investing in a more innovative, resilient and inclusive future. At Medine, we believe that when women succeed in business, our communities and economy grow stronger. We are proud to support the Women Entrepreneur Awards, which shine a light on the talent, determination and leadership of women who are shaping the future of Mauritius. Congratulations to all the finalists for their inspiring journeys and the positive impact they are creating within our communities.”
Impact Production Group, a partner since the early editions of WEA, also shared its continued commitment to the initiative. Jean Luc Manneback, Founder of Impact Production Group, said: “For IPG, supporting the Women Entrepreneur Awards has always been much more than a sponsorship. From the moment we met Kirti and discovered her vision, we felt that WEA was something meaningful, human and necessary. It gives women entrepreneurs the visibility, confidence and recognition they deserve. As the platform expands across the Indian Ocean in 2026, we are proud to continue supporting this journey and to stand alongside the women who are shaping the future of entrepreneurship in our region.”
This year’s Headline Sponsor, Nawale Yssoufa Jimitri, Owner and Co-founder of the Axelya Group in Mayotte, brings both personal conviction and regional significance to her support of WEA. Speaking on why she chose to back the initiative, she said: “The Women Entrepreneur Awards carry a mission that aligns perfectly with my own: making women entrepreneurs visible, celebrating their achievements, and creating an ecosystem where future generations can find role models and opportunities. This mission is especially important in the Indian Ocean region, where our territories are full of talented women who are building businesses, often without recognition. I am proud to stand behind this platform and to help ensure that the voice of Mayotte, and of our entire region, is heard.”
Atul Bhatia, Chief FinTech Officer of blink by Emtel, shared: “This is the third consecutive edition that blink by Emtel has proudly stood alongside the Women Entrepreneur Awards as a sponsor, and that consistency reflects something we genuinely believe in. Supporting women entrepreneurs is not a one-off gesture for us, it is a commitment to the community of entrepreneurs.” “We have seen how this whole program has evolved and how it inspires more and more women to step into the journey of entrepreneurship, while also recognizing and rewarding those doing great work not just for themselves, but for the community and country at large. They say the third year is the charm, and for us, that charm lies in watching what happens when women entrepreneurs are backed by partners who truly share their vision. We look forward to the unveiling of this year’s finalists and to continuing our role in championing female entrepreneurship across the Indian Ocean.”
The Women Entrepreneur Awards opening night on 1 August 2026 at The Dome, SPARC, Medine, promises to be a defining moment for women’s entrepreneurship across the Indian Ocean. For more information, visit www.womenentrepreneurawards.com or follow WEA on social media for live updates.
