- The Women Entrepreneur Awards (WEA) has launched the applications for its 3rd edition on Sunday 8 March, International Women’s Day, for Mauritius and Rodrigues.
- Following the success of its first two editions in 2023 and 2024, this year WEA is expanding its scope to welcome applications from talented women entrepreneurs from across the region, encompassing Mauritius and Rodrigues, Madagascar, Seychelles, La Réunion, Comoros, Mayotte and Maldives.
- The awards will recognise the outstanding achievements of women entrepreneurs who have made a significant impact on their industries and communities.
- Participation in the awards is free of charge and the deadline for applications is 8 May for Mauritius and Rodrigues.
Women entrepreneurs in Mauritius and Rodrigues are invited to submit their applications for the third edition of the Women Entrepreneur Awards, launched on 8 March.
The Women Entrepreneur Awards (WEA) were created to encourage, support and empower and celebrate Mauritian female entrepreneurs from different sectors, and to showcase their contribution in the Mauritian economy. WEA was conceived with the goal to celebrate women’s achievements and successes, encompassing those at all stages of their company’s journey, from start-ups to medium or large companies.
This year, we align ourselves with the United Nations theme, “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.” Because entrepreneurship goes beyond simply building businesses; it is about creating access, unlocking opportunities, and ensuring that women have the rights, resources, and support systems they need to succeed and grow. In the lead-up to the semi-finals, participants will also take part in a series of structured workshops aimed at strengthening their skills, building confidence, and supporting the strategic development of their businesses.
The awards focus on recognising the outstanding achievements of women entrepreneurs who have made a significant impact on the industries and communities, whose business success is founded in their exceptional leadership, resilience and problem-solving skills. WEA seeks to showcase the diversity of talent and innovation of women entrepreneurs, based across the region, with a view to empowering them to make a positive impact in their communities.
Commenting on the 2026 edition, Kirti Sheonarain, WEA Founder, said:
“The Women Entrepreneur Awards are about more than recognition, they are about creating a regional sisterhood of women who inspire, support and elevate one another across the Indian Ocean islands. I encourage women entrepreneurs to step forward, share their stories and put themselves out there, because their leadership, resilience and impact deserve to be seen and celebrated.”
WEA’s aim will be to add value to the women entrepreneurs applying for the awards and the selected participants will be offered the chance to join free and accessible workshops, regardless of whether they are selected for quarter, semi or finals. The workshops will be delivered by experts in their respective fields and will provide valuable insights for female business leaders. While continuing to emphasise the importance of physical and mental wellbeing, the programme will also explore themes relevant to business growth and regional expansion, including strategic scaling, personal branding and visibility, cross-border business opportunities, and access to funding.
Eligibility criteria
Participation in the awards is free of charge. The awards are open to women-owned businesses where a woman is the sole shareholder, and also to women co-owned businesses, where the woman owns at least a 50% share of the business. Awards will be given under a number of categories, starting with those a turnover of less than MUR 1 million, with MUR 5-10 million of turnover, and rising to those over MUR 10 million.
A jury of experienced professionals, with a strong background and expertise in the entrepreneurial and wider business domain, will be announced shortly. The selection process will be based on objective criteria including business growth, innovation, leadership, and social impact, ensuring that each winner is truly deserving of the recognition.
The competition will culminate in a grand finale where selected finalists will present their businesses and entrepreneurial journeys before the jury. The event will bring together partners, members of the business community, and key stakeholders to celebrate the achievements, innovation and resilience of women entrepreneurs.
How to apply
Candidates are invited to submit their online application by 8th May at midnight here:
https://www.womenentrepreneurawards.com/registration2026
The launch of applications for the other islands in the region, other than Mauritius and Rodrigues, will be communicated at a later time.
Those interested in sponsorship or partnership opportunities are invited to get in touch at team@womenentrepreneurawards.com.
