The CEO of Bakari International made history at the Forty Under 40 Africa Awards 2026 held on Saturday, February 14, becoming the first woman to win the ceremony’s most prestigious honor.
The night was a defining moment for the woman of the hour, Paula Tabirih – Khoali. The 37-year-old agribusiness entrepreneur of Ghanaian and South African descent emerged as the standout figure of the night at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, Accra. There, she dazzled in the spotlight, taking to the stage in an elegant African attire to etch her name into history.
Her award triumph went beyond expectation. In addition to winning the “Marketing” award for her role in reshaping Africa’s agricultural future through strategic marketing, value addition, and market positioning, Paula received the ceremony’s highest distinction: the “First Among Equals” award.
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As a result, she was presented with a 22-karat gold-plated winner’s medal, marking the first time a woman has received the coveted honor in the award’s history.
Expressing her appreciation for the recognition, Paula talked about the honour the award has done for her agriculture business.
“I am truly humbled and grateful for this Africa 40 Under 40 recognition. What began as a vision rooted in faith has grown into a mission to elevate African agriculture onto the global stage. Winning the Africa Forty Under 40 Award is not just a personal milestone. It is a celebration of African excellence in agriculture and trade. This award represents the power of bold African entrepreneurship. Through Bakari International, we are building bridges between African producers and global markets, ensuring that African farmers receive visibility, value, and respect internationally,” she stated.
She also hinted at how strategic positioning and purposeful brand awareness have the ability to elevate African brands and products to compete with global standards.
“This award affirms that African products, when marketed with strategy and integrity, can compete and lead on the world stage. I dedicate this recognition to the farmers, partners, and teams across the continent who make my work possible. This award is proof that purpose-driven work, integrity, and belief in our continent can create lasting impact. I am deeply honored that our work in promoting African agricultural exports is being recognized at a continental level. I dedicate this win to God, to African farmers, and to the future of African trade. This is only the beginning. Africa is not just feeding the world; it is ready to lead it,” she added.
The 2026 edition of the Forty Under 40 Africa Awards came to a close with over dignitaries from 22 African countries attending. The event brought together some of the continent’s brightest leaders under the age of 40 under one roof to recognize their achievements and impact.
At the heart of this gathering was Paula Tabirih – Khoali, whose groundbreaking victory opened a new chapter in the story of African entrepreneurship and leadership.