Fashion Entrepreneur Ekwutoziam Honoured at AIWRA 2026
Renowned entrepreneur and fashion business strategist, Amb. Dr. Ekwutoziam Chinedu, Chief Executive Officer of EkashCollections, has been honoured with the African Iconic Woman in Fashion Business of the Year Award at the 15th edition of the African Iconic Women Recognition Awards (AIWRA) held in Abuja.
The award ceremony, which took place at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton, attracted top entrepreneurs, diplomats, policymakers, investors, creatives and corporate leaders from across Africa. Organisers said Amb. Ekwutoziam was recognised for her outstanding contributions to the fashion business industry, women empowerment, enterprise development and innovation-driven entrepreneurship.
They noted that her growing influence in Africa's creative and enterprise ecosystem has continued to inspire indigenous brand visibility and sustainable business growth. Industry stakeholders described the EkashCollections boss as one of the emerging voices championing African creativity, youth entrepreneurship and women-led businesses through mentorship and transformational enterprise initiatives.
Reaction to the Award
Speaking after receiving the award, Dr. Ekwutoziam hailed the organisers for creating a platform that celebrates excellence, innovation and enterprise leadership across Africa. She stressed the importance of recognising entrepreneurs and innovators as key drivers of economic growth and employment creation on the continent.
According to her, the recognition would further strengthen her commitment to expanding opportunities within the fashion and enterprise sector while supporting initiatives that empower young entrepreneurs and women-owned businesses. She also called for increased investment, strategic partnerships and innovation-driven collaborations to position African-owned brands for global competitiveness and long-term sustainability.
Event Highlights
The event featured business networking sessions, leadership recognitions, entrepreneurial exhibitions and discussions focused on innovation, economic inclusion and the future of Africa's growing creative economy. The AIWRA continues to serve as a prestigious platform for celebrating women who are making significant impacts in various sectors across the continent.
