In a landmark regional edition, the Women Entrepreneur Awards brought together the vision, resilience and ingenuity of women entrepreneurs from seven Indian Ocean territories, honouring ten exceptional business leaders whose work is creating meaningful economic and social change.
Behind every successful business lies a story of courage: a decision to begin, a willingness to take risks and the determination to keep moving forward when the path is uncertain. For women entrepreneurs across the Indian Ocean, these journeys often carry an even greater significance, shaped by the ambition to build sustainable businesses, create opportunities for others and challenge the boundaries of what is possible.
On 31 October, at SPARC, Medine, ten such journeys took centre stage at the third edition of the Women Entrepreneur Awards (WEA), an occasion that marked a significant milestone in the evolution of the initiative. For the first time since its launch in 2023, the awards extended beyond Mauritius, embracing the wider Indian Ocean region and bringing together women whose entrepreneurial achievements reflect the diversity, creativity and potential of their territories.
The evening’s highest distinction, WEA Regional Champion 2026, was awarded to Tanjona Vahatraina Ranjalahy, founder of Moli Company in Madagascar. Her recognition was emblematic of the spirit of the awards: celebrating not only business achievement, but also the vision, perseverance and purpose that give entrepreneurship its lasting value.
This year’s competition welcomed applications from Mauritius, Rodrigues, Réunion, Mayotte, Comoros, Madagascar and Seychelles. A total of 108 applications were received, with 55 women progressing through the selection process and 21 finalists presenting their businesses before an independent jury at the Grand Finale. Their ventures spanned industries and ambitions, from agriculture, education and hospitality to innovation, professional services and the creative industries. Yet, beneath their differences, a common thread connected them: the determination to turn ideas into viable enterprises and use business as a force for progress.
A regional platform for ambition and achievement
For Kirti Sheonarain, Founder and Chairperson of the Women Entrepreneur Awards, the regional expansion represented more than a geographical milestone. It was an opportunity to connect entrepreneurial talent that has long existed across the Indian Ocean but has not always had access to a shared platform. “When we opened the awards to the wider region for this third edition, we were asking whether one stage could accommodate the ambitions of an entire ocean,” she said, reflecting on the response to the competition.
She noted that the 108 applications, 55 selected participants and ten winners demonstrated the breadth of entrepreneurial talent across the region. For her, the purpose of the WEA goes beyond recognition. It is about building a platform that remains independent, rigorous and firmly grounded in merit, ensuring that the distinction carries genuine meaning for the women who receive it. The expansion also underscored the importance of looking beyond national borders to recognise the women building businesses in island economies, where access to markets, resources and visibility can present particular challenges. By bringing these entrepreneurs together, the WEA is helping create space for their achievements to be seen, their experiences to be shared and their ambitions to reach further.
Putting Madagascar’s agricultural heritage on the map
At the heart of this year’s awards was the story of Tanjona Vahatraina Ranjalahy, whose company, Moli Company, was founded in 2020 with a vision to promote Madagascar’s distinctive agricultural produce.
Through Royal Café Zanatany, the business showcases premium Arabica coffee sourced from women-led cooperatives in the volcanic highlands of Itasy. The model places local agricultural heritage at the centre of a commercial venture while seeking to provide women producers with fair and reliable incomes. It is a business built around a simple but powerful principle: economic growth can be pursued without losing sight of the people whose work makes it possible.
For Tanjona, receiving the Regional Champion title was both a personal achievement and a moment of national pride.“Winning the Women Entrepreneur Awards – Regional Champion 2026 is a moment of immense joy and pride for me,” she said. Describing the distinction as meaningful recognition of the hard work, dedication and passion behind her journey, she expressed her gratitude to the organisers and her pride in representing Madagascar.
She also shared a hope that reaches beyond her own success: that her achievement will encourage more women to embrace entrepreneurship, believe in their dreams and dare to think bigger.
Ten winners, ten expressions of entrepreneurial excellence
While the Regional Champion distinction recognised the competition’s leading entrepreneur, the remaining awards celebrated different dimensions of business success, reflecting the varied ways women are contributing to the development of the Indian Ocean region.
Economic Impact Award — The Growth Driver
Melthide Sinama, KUBERA Conseil, Réunion
Founded in 2023, KUBERA Conseil helps businesses in Réunion and other French overseas territories navigate access to public funding for research and innovation. By helping organisations identify opportunities for investment, the company supports innovation and contributes to a stronger economic environment for businesses seeking to grow.
Innovation Award — The Disruptor
Karishma Kallooa, Aquanautic Ltd, Mauritius
Karishma Kallooa was recognised for her innovative entrepreneurial approach through Aquanautic Ltd, a Mauritius-based business operating in the nautical sector. Her distinction celebrated the importance of fresh thinking and enterprise in developing opportunities within a specialised industry.
Visionary Award — The Trailblazer
Anja Ravakiniony Tahirimihamina, Karné SARLU, Madagascar
Founded in 2021, Éditions Karné publishes bilingual educational content and literary works, with a particular focus on young readers. Its work supports literacy while bringing Malagasy culture, language and storytelling to greater prominence. Through publishing, the company demonstrates how education and cultural preservation can become meaningful foundations for entrepreneurship.
Social Impact Award — The Catalyst
Nadjah Abbasakoor, The Inclusion Station, Mauritius
Through The Inclusion Station, a multidisciplinary therapy practice in Vacoas, Nadjah Abbasakoor has made inclusion a central part of her work. She introduced the international Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programme to Mauritius, helping people with invisible disabilities communicate their need for support in everyday settings. Her recognition highlighted the potential of entrepreneurship to respond to social needs and make communities more accessible.
Most Promising Award — The Shooting Star
Amina Madi-Bao, Aux Délices d’Amina “Lada Za Amina”, Mayotte
Amina Madi-Bao brings the flavours and traditions of Mahoran cuisine to her bakery, pastry and catering business. Combining culinary heritage with environmentally responsible practices, she represents an approach to entrepreneurship that values local identity while remaining attentive to sustainability.
Champion Mauritius
Beatrice Lai Fat Fur, Happy Creatives Ltd
Happy Creatives has built its offering around Booch Up, a range of handcrafted fermented beverages that includes kombucha and water kefir. Carrying the Made in Moris label, the products are packaged in reusable glass bottles, reflecting an emphasis on local production and more responsible packaging choices.
For Beatrice, the journey through the competition was as valuable as the final recognition itself.
“It has been an inspiring journey, from the first application through the workshops and semi-finals to the final itself,” she said. “We learnt a great deal, made real friends and built a community of women entrepreneurs.”
Her words reflected an important dimension of the WEA: the relationships and shared experiences that can continue to benefit participants long after the awards ceremony has ended.
Champion Réunion
Sarah Hugon, SHM Events
Founded in 2018, SHM Events operates as an independent music label and concert producer, supporting artists from Réunion while bringing internationally recognised performers to the island. Its productions have included artists such as Jimmy Cliff, Slimane and Patrick Fiori.
Sarah Hugon described the recognition as particularly meaningful because it coincided with the first edition of the WEA to bring together entrepreneurs from across the Indian Ocean. Working in a music industry where women remain under-represented, she welcomed the opportunity to bring the distinction back to Réunion and share the achievement with fellow women entrepreneurs.
Champion Mayotte
Anliati Attoumani, Hibiscus Café Culture
Through Hibiscus Café des Îles, Anliati Attoumani promotes healthier eating habits in Mayotte, offering pastries and seasonal fruit while prioritising responsible sourcing. Her work brings together food, wellbeing and a commitment to more considered business practices.
Champion Seychelles
Zarah Ally, ZBEST
At her ZBEST farm on Mahé, Zarah Ally is helping introduce young people to sustainable agriculture through educational visits. Looking ahead, she plans to support schools in establishing their own gardens, creating opportunities for students to develop practical knowledge of food production and environmental responsibility.
Together, the ten winners offered a compelling picture of women-led enterprise across the region. Their businesses differ in size, sector and purpose, but each demonstrates how entrepreneurship can create value in ways that extend beyond the commercial bottom line.
A selection process built on merit
Behind the celebrations was a structured selection process designed to recognise business achievement alongside the wider contribution of each entrepreneur. Launched in March 2026, the competition combined several stages of assessment with professional development workshops and presentations before an independent jury. Eligible candidates were required to own at least 50 per cent of a registered business that had been operating for a minimum of one year.
Applicants were assessed against four criteria: business growth, innovation, leadership and social impact. Twenty-five finalists were announced on 26 September, with 21 ultimately participating in the Grand Finale, including three who presented virtually.
The independent jury brought together experience spanning consulting, investment, social impact, design and business leadership. Its members were Natacha Emilien, Founder of Onaha Consulting; Manisha Dookhony, CEO of Terramont Capital Partners Ltd; Catherine Dubreuil Le Roy, Co-founder of All for Impact and Founder of Obvious Way; Trinida Chetty, CEO of Deco Design Group; and Chantal Dagnaud, President of the Global Executive Board of PLAMFE Worldwide.
Their task was to evaluate the entrepreneurs on the strength of their businesses, the originality of their approaches, their leadership capabilities and the impact of their work. Held under the theme “Celebrating Power in Elegance”, the black-tie Grand Finale was hosted by Samantha Seewoosurrun, WEA Co-Chair. The evening brought together recognition, reflection and a shared appreciation of the women whose determination is helping shape the region’s economic future.
egional partnerships driving a shared ambition
The expansion of the Women Entrepreneur Awards reflects a collective effort to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem across the Indian Ocean. Bringing together participants from seven territories required the support of organisations that share an interest in business development, innovation and the advancement of women in leadership.
Organised by H2H Events, the 2026 edition was supported by Axelya Group as headline sponsor and Medine Group as venue partner, hosting both the launch and Grand Finale at SPARC.
Long-standing partners blink by Emtel and Impact Production Group, the event’s technical partner, have supported the initiative since its inception in 2023.
The 2026 edition also received support from Emtel, Mercedes-Benz Mauritius, RLB Hoolooman, Insights & Inspire, Veranda Resorts Mauritius, The Chair (Mauritius) Ltd, Furniture Elegancy and Interior Design, Moments by PhoenixBev and Panaché.
Workshops were hosted by Turbine, runher Mauritius, HirePulse and Bloom – The Heart of Business, while Perpetual Motion, Platform Africa, Koala Studio and Tizean Creasion contributed as key partners.
For these organisations, supporting the WEA represents an investment in a more connected business community, one in which women entrepreneurs have greater opportunities to develop their capabilities, build networks and pursue growth beyond their immediate markets.
Nawale Yssoufa Jimitri, President and Co-Founder of Axelya Group, highlighted the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in island communities and the importance of making their talent more visible. “Axelya was born in Mayotte, and we know how much talent on our islands goes unseen because markets are small and distances long. Backing the first regional edition of the WEA was our way of shortening those distances, and we intend to stay alongside these women as they grow.”
Caleb J. Samy, Product and Marketing Manager at Emtel, reaffirmed blink’s commitment to supporting women-led businesses through digital tools and opportunities for growth. “Supporting women entrepreneurs is not a one-off gesture for us. We have backed the WEA since its first edition in 2023, and seeing it open to the whole region this year shows how far it has come. blink will continue equipping women-led businesses with the digital tools they need to grow.”
Jean Luc Manneback, Founder of Impact Production Group, reflected on the organisation’s longstanding involvement and the significance of the regional edition. “Our support for the WEA has always been more than a sponsorship. We have been part of it since 2023, and every year the standard rises. This edition proved what we have always believed: the talent of women entrepreneurs has no nationality, and courage has no borders.”
Shams Sooltangos, Commercial Director, Mercedes-Benz, CFAO Mobility Mauritius, also emphasised the importance of recognising women’s leadership and achievements across the region. “At CFAO Mobility Mauritius and Mercedes-Benz, we believe that true excellence and precision know no gender. Partnering with the Women Entrepreneur Awards allowed us to drive meaningful progress by celebrating the visionary women across Mauritius and the Indian Ocean who are rewriting the rules of leadership and shaping the future of business.”
The continued involvement of these partners has helped the initiative grow from its beginnings in Mauritius into a regional platform with a wider reach and greater ambitions.
Looking beyond the stage
Awards ceremonies offer a moment to pause and celebrate achievement, but the true value of recognition often lies in what follows. Greater visibility can open new doors. Professional connections can lead to collaboration. And the experience of being recognised alongside other accomplished entrepreneurs can strengthen the confidence needed to take the next step.
For women-led businesses across the Indian Ocean, these opportunities matter. Operating across island markets can bring particular challenges, from geographical distance to access to resources and the difficulty of reaching new customers. A regional platform creates opportunities to exchange ideas, discover new perspectives and build relationships beyond national boundaries.
The stories celebrated at the 2026 WEA demonstrate that entrepreneurship is not defined by a single industry or measure of success. It can be found in a company promoting Malagasy coffee through women-led cooperatives, a Mauritian business championing inclusion, a publishing house preserving cultural identity, a music producer supporting local artists or a farm inspiring young people to embrace sustainable agriculture. Each venture reflects a different vision, yet all share a commitment to creating something of lasting value.
The third edition of the Women Entrepreneur Awards was therefore more than a celebration of ten winners. It marked the emergence of a broader regional community, united by ambition, resilience and the determination to make a difference through business. By extending its reach across seven Indian Ocean territories, the WEA has created a platform on which women entrepreneurs can be recognised not only for what they have achieved, but also for the possibilities their journeys represent. As the initiative looks to the future, its greatest legacy may lie in the connections it helps forge and the opportunities it inspires. The ten women honoured this year have each demonstrated what can be achieved when vision is matched by action.
Their stories also offer a reminder that the entrepreneurial potential of the Indian Ocean is not confined by the size of its markets or the distance between its islands. It is strengthened when talent is recognised, ambition is encouraged and women are given the opportunity to bring their ideas to a wider stage.
