During a glamorous awards ceremony that took place on Friday night in Kigali, Rwanda, the Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) announced the winners of the 2023 AWIEF Awards. Out of the 24 powerful women founders and entrepreneurs selected across Africa as top finalists by an international and independent panel of judges, eight winners were announced at the awards ceremony. Among the eight winners was the CEO and founder of the Epilepsy Awareness, Aid, and Research Foundation (EAARF). We can’t help but reflect on the incredible journey that has led to this moment. The challenges faced and overcome with innovative strategies have transformed Dr. Mundih Noelar Njohjam into a hero in the world of entrepreneurship. Dr. Mundih’s vision and dedication to social impact have set a new standard for leadership.

Dr. Mundih is not just a medical doctor but an asset to wider society, especially those living with epilepsy. She has stood out as a distinctive medical doctor, researcher, and social impact initiator, demonstrating that philanthropy is not just about financial donations but also about leveraging the right non-financial resources to make the world a better place. Dr. Mundih has been very consistent in her community transformation efforts, and her activities at the Epilepsy Awareness, Aid, and Research Foundation have been remarkable over the years, improving access to health services for people living with epilepsy.

Born and raised in a society where epilepsy is misconstrued, Dr. Mundih has chosen a path that has many challenges for the affected: misinformation and stigma. She is selfless and passionate about what very few people are talking about or taking action about in Africa. From working to establish the epilepsy clinics in Cameroon to providing adequate care and support to hundreds of patients with epilepsy across Africa, as well as reaching out to over 2,000,000 people across Africa with epilepsy messaging, Dr. Mundih does it all.

This recognition is a testament to Dr. Mundih’s ability to encourage and nurture ideas that generate successful innovation breakthroughs. We have seen firsthand how she has aligned our organization’s innovative talent with our strategies, leading to enduring successful spin-offs and inspiring transformational leadership.This award is a well-deserved honor, and we are proud to celebrate her as a true trailblazer in social entrepreneurship.