The Women Entrepreneur Awards (WEA) has held its third edition, expanding its reach to seven Indian Ocean territories, including Mauritius, Rodrigues, La Réunion, Mayotte, Comores, Madagascar, and Seychelles. The regional final, held on October 31 at SPARC in Médine, recognized ten entrepreneurs for their achievements. This year's event saw 108 applications from across the region, with 55 entrepreneurs selected to participate in the competition.
The competition evaluated participants based on four criteria: business growth, innovation, leadership, and social impact. A jury of independent experts, comprising Manisha Dookhony, Catherine Dubreuil Le Roy, Chantal Dagnaud, Trinida Chetty, and Natacha Emilien, assessed the candidates. Twenty-one entrepreneurs presented their businesses to the jury, with 18 presenting in person and three online.
The regional champion, Tanjona Vahatraina Ranjalahy, founder of Moli Company in Madagascar, received the top honor. Her company promotes Malagasy products, including high-end Arabica coffee from the volcanic highlands of Itasy. Moli Company sources directly from women-led cooperatives, providing them with regular income and market access.
Other winners included Melthide Sinama, founder of KUBERA Conseil in La Réunion, who received the economic impact award. Karishma Kallooa of Aquanautic Ltd in Mauritius won the innovation award, while Nadjah Abbasakoor, founder of The Inclusion Station, was recognized for her social impact. Anja Ravakiniony Tahirimihamina of Karné SARLU in Madagascar received the Visionary Award.
The national awards also recognized four additional entrepreneurs. Beatrice Lai Fat Fur of Happy Creatives Ltd in Mauritius was awarded for her kombucha and fermented beverages business. Sarah Hugon, founder of SHM Events in La Réunion, was distinguished for her concert production and music publishing activities. Anliati Attoumani, founder of ANLIA&CO in Mayotte, received the national award for her healthy and equitable food establishment, Hibiscus Café des Îles.
The WEA aims to create a platform for Indian Ocean entrepreneurs to network and showcase their businesses. Kirti Sheonarain, founder and president of WEA, emphasized the importance of a rigorous and merit-based selection process. Each finalist received a certificate of excellence in recognition of their entrepreneurial achievements.
The 2026 WEA winners include Tanjona Vahatraina Ranjalahy, Moli Company (Madagascar); Melthide Sinama, KUBERA Conseil (La Réunion); Karishma Kallooa, Aquanautic Ltd (Mauritius); Anja Ravakiniony Tahirimihamina, Karné SARLU (Madagascar); Nadjah Abbasakoor, The Inclusion Station (Mauritius); Amina Madi-Bao, Aux Délices d’Amina (Mayotte); Beatrice Lai Fat Fur, Happy Creatives Ltd (Mauritius); Sarah Hugon, SHM Events (La Réunion); Anliati Attoumani, ANLIA&CO (Mayotte); and Zarah Ally, ZBEST (Seychelles).
Key points
- The Women Entrepreneur Awards has expanded to seven Indian Ocean territories, recognizing ten entrepreneurs in various categories.
