Entries for the 2026 Standard Bank Top Women Awards close on Friday, 30 October, and Topco Media has issued a final call to women leaders and to organisations driving women’s empowerment in South African business. This year’s awards are supported by a line-up of leading South African brands. Winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on Thursday, 3 December 2026.
In addition to Standard Bank, the 2026 sponsors are:
- Telkom, sponsor of Top Women Business in ICT & Ecommerce
- Castrol Southern Africa, sponsor of Top Women Business in Transport, Logistics & Mobility
- RS South Africa, sponsor of Top Women Business in Construction, Infrastructure, Resources & Mining
- Harmony, sponsor of Top Women Sustainable Business of the Year
- Diageo’s Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Prestige Partner
Women in technology, transport and logistics, construction and mining continue to face structural barriers to advancement. The sponsored categories recognise organisations in these industries that are actively creating opportunities for women, as well as organisations that reward sustainable, inclusive business practices.
The Standard Bank Top Women Awards align with Standard Bank’s commitment to advancing gender equality and creating opportunities for women to thrive as leaders, professionals and entrepreneurs. By recognising organisations and individuals driving meaningful change, the awards support broader efforts to accelerate inclusive economic growth and increase women’s participation across key sectors of the South African economy.
The Standard Bank Top Women Awards are now in their 23rd year. The programme honours individuals and organisations for their achievements over the past 18 months. In addition to the sponsored categories, this year’s awards include:
- Top Women Young Achiever
- Top Women Entrepreneur of the Year
- Top Women Leader in STEM
- Haley Fletcher Top Women Business Leader of the Year
- Top Women Business of the Year
Finalists and winners join a network of business leaders and decision-makers from the private and public sectors.
Second-round entries close on Friday, 30 October 2026. Individuals and organisations can enter at https://get.topbusinesswomen.co.za/sbtop-women-awards-/.
