Women in Food & Agribusiness opens global awards nominations for 2026

Women in Food & Agribusiness Innovation has opened worldwide nominations for its 2026 Global Awards, with a deadline of 30 August and a ceremony set for London on 29 October. The awards aim to spotlight women, allies and organisations driving measurable change across food and agriculture as the sector faces climate, supply-chain and food-security pressures.

Why it matters: - The awards are designed to make visible the work that keeps food systems moving, from farming and processing to research, logistics, nutrition and market access. - Food and agribusiness leaders are facing pressure from climate change, supply-chain disruption, food insecurity and the push to produce more sustainably. - Recognition can help winners attract partnerships, spread proven ideas and connect solutions across countries and sectors.

What happened: - Women in Food & Agribusiness Innovation opened nominations for the Women in Food & Agribusiness Global Awards 2026. - Nominations are open worldwide until 30 August 2026. - The awards ceremony will take place in London on 29 October 2026. - The initiative is aimed at women, allies and organisations contributing to stronger, more innovative and resilient food systems. - The nomination form is available here.

The details: - The 2026 programme includes 20 award categories. - Categories include Agribusiness Entrepreneur of the Year, Food Brand Founder of the Year, Emerging Agripreneur Award and Outstanding Farmer Award. - Other categories include Commercial Farm Excellence, Culinary Innovation, Food Safety & Quality Leadership, Sustainable Food Manufacturing, AgriTech Innovation and FoodTech Innovation. - The programme also recognises work in Global Food & Agribusiness Export, Agricultural Finance & Investment, Food Systems Leadership, Regenerative Agriculture, Food Service & Hospitality Leadership, Nutrition, Rural Economic Empowerment, Climate & Sustainability Leadership, Diversity & Inclusion, and Agribusiness Voice & Journalism. - Nominations may come from colleagues, professional bodies, institutions, industry peers, community members or the nominees themselves. - Eligible submissions will be reviewed and judged on impact, innovation, leadership, sustainability, growth and influence. - There is no geographic restriction on nominations. - The awards seek demonstrable contribution across the food value chain, not just work by founders or senior executives. - The inclusion of allies reflects a view that progress for women and food systems depends on collaboration across genders, sectors, disciplines and geographies.

Between the lines: - The awards broaden the definition of influence in food and agribusiness, elevating roles that are often overlooked in mainstream industry recognition. - The focus on measurable contribution signals an effort to balance visibility with practical outcomes. - The London event is positioned as more than a ceremony, with the awards tied to a wider summit that can connect recognition with networking and policy discussion.

What's next: - The nomination window closes on 30 August 2026. - The Women in Food & Agribusiness Global Summit 2026 will run in London on 28–29 October 2026. - The summit will be followed by the Global Awards ceremony on the evening of 29 October. - Summit information and registration are available here.

The bottom line: - The 2026 awards aim to turn overlooked food-system work into global recognition, with nominations open now and London set to host the main event in October.

About Women in Food & Agribusiness Innovation (WIFAI): - Women in Food & Agribusiness Innovation is a global platform connecting women and allies across food, agriculture and the wider food economy. - WIFAI brings together entrepreneurs, industry professionals, researchers, innovators, policymakers and institutions through convenings, knowledge exchange, recognition and cross-border collaboration.

About Guzakuza: - Guzakuza has supported women in agribusiness since 2015. - The organization develops programmes and platforms focused on enterprise development, leadership, networks, visibility and access to opportunities. - More information is available at the awards website.