Kigali, Rwanda – Under the bright lights of the Kigali Convention Centre, Moroccan entrepreneur Yasmina Belahsen captivated the audience as she accepted the Creative Industry Award at the 2023 African Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) Awards last night.
Belahsen, founder of the trailblazing digital agency Maya Digital, was recognized for her outstanding contributions to advancing innovation and creativity across the continent. She was one of just eight winners selected from 24 finalists hailing from 14 African nations.
“I’m honored and humbled,” said Belahsen in her acceptance speech. “This award is a testament to the power of African women as forces of change.”
Belahsen’s Maya Digital has made waves as a pioneering, Morocco-rooted agency with an international vision. The company embodies both modern digital prowess and timeless Moroccan essence.
The glamorous awards ceremony capped off the electric 2023 AWIEF Conference, which convened over 500 delegates from more than 50 countries in Kigali this week. It marked a jubilant celebration of African women breaking barriers as entrepreneurs and innovators.
“Yasmina Belahsen exemplifies the boundless potential of African women to shape the future,” said AWIEF founder and CEO Irene Ochem. “Her creativity and innovation inspire us all.”
For Belahsen, the Creative Industry Award is sweet proof that her ambitious vision is taking flight. “I’m determined to open doors for more African women in the digital space,” she said. “This is just the beginning.”
