No. 012026
Agriculture
Celebrating the farmers, smallholder producers, and agricultural entrepreneurs driving food security and rural economic growth across the North West.
The 2026 Programme
Fourteen categories. One province.
Every category represents a structural pillar of the North West economy — and is open to township, rural, peri-urban, and formal businesses operating in the province for two years or more.
No. 022026
Agro-Processing & Manufacturing
Recognising businesses transforming raw materials into value-added products — from food processing to light manufacturing — creating jobs along the value chain.
No. 032026
Finance and Financial Services Excellence
Honouring financial service providers, intermediaries, and fintech entrepreneurs expanding access to capital and financial services across the province.
No. 042026
Social Enterprise & NPO
Celebrating social enterprises and non-profit organisations delivering measurable social or community development impact.
No. 052026
Energy & Green Economy
Recognising businesses in renewable energy, energy efficiency, waste management, and the broader green economy building a sustainable North West.
No. 062026
Health & Wellness
Honouring healthcare providers, wellness practitioners, and health-tech innovators improving the quality of life of North West communities.
No. 072026
Construction & Infrastructure
Celebrating construction companies, built environment professionals, and infrastructure developers building the physical foundations of the province.
No. 082026
Technology & Innovation
Recognising technology entrepreneurs, digital innovators, and businesses using technology to solve North West-specific challenges at scale.
No. 092026
Education & Training
Honouring private schools, TVET partners, training providers, and education entrepreneurs expanding skills and human capital development in the province.
No. 102026
Transport & Logistics
Celebrating the supply chain operators, freight companies, and mobility entrepreneurs moving goods and people across the North West.
No. 112026
Biodiversity & Tourism
Recognising tourism operators, hospitality businesses, and conservation entrepreneurs leveraging the North West's extraordinary natural assets.
No. 122026
Mining and Mine Services
Honouring mining-adjacent businesses, contractors, and community-based mining enterprises driving transformation in the platinum belt and beyond.
No. 132026
Creative Economy
Celebrating the artists, creatives, cultural entrepreneurs, and entertainment businesses building the North West's creative and cultural economy.
No. 142026
Township Economy
Recognising the formal and informal businesses that keep kasi trading — car washes, hair salons, fashion boutiques and chesanyana sellers, spaza shops, artisanal kitchens, panel beaters, pubs, towing companies and taxi owners — creating jobs and serving township communities across the North West.
Special recognition
Four awards for the moments that define the night.
Women Entrepreneur of the Year
The NWBA's flagship recognition for a woman-owned business that has demonstrated exceptional leadership, growth, and community impact across any sector.
Youth Entrepreneur of the Year
Recognising an entrepreneur under 35 who has built a scalable, impactful business in the North West — the NWBA's defining investment in the next generation.
Most prestigious
Entrepreneur of the Year
The NWBA's most prestigious award — selected by the judges from among all category winners — recognising the single most outstanding business in the North West Province.