A Nigerian woman entrepreneur, Biobele Oyibo, has won the Technology Award at the 2026 Empretec Women in Business Awards, held during the 9th World Investment Forum in Doha, Qatar.
Oyibo, who is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Earlybean, was honoured for using technology to promote financial literacy and inclusion among young people.
The awards, organised under the theme “Women-led businesses and the art of scale”, celebrated women entrepreneurs who are driving innovation, sustainability and business growth across four categories: Leadership, Sustainability, Innovation and Technology.
The event brought together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and business leaders to celebrate the winners and connect them with funding, markets, expertise and networks to help them expand their businesses.
The awards also highlighted the role of women-led enterprises in creating jobs, deploying new technologies and tackling economic, social and environmental challenges.
Among the other winners was Sandra Letio of Uganda, who received the Leadership Award for building an agribusiness that works with more than 5,000 smallholder farmers.
Paula Gianserra of Argentina won the Sustainability Award for advancing forest restoration through artificial intelligence, biotechnology and drone seeding.
The Innovation Award went to Aisha Albinali of Qatar, Co-Founder of Wafir, for turning traditional savings practices into a financial technology solution.
It also went to Adriana Fernandes of Brazil, Chief Executive Officer of Mátrika Special Foods, for improving access to safe, quality food for people with allergies and dietary restrictions.
