DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA — September 25, 2026 — One of the major highlights of the Iconic Africa Women Achievers Awards & Summit 2026 was the recognition of Valentina Utoh, Founder and CEO of Onyx by Valentina.
Utoh was officially honoured with the prestigious title of “Iconic African Woman of the Year in Business Leadership / Social Impact 2026.”
The recognition formed part of the evening gala held during the landmark event at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dar es Salaam on September 19, 2026.
The award was presented by the Mayorkings Charity Foundation in recognition of Utoh's dedication, excellence and significant contributions towards the advancement of the African continent.
Her recognition came during an event dedicated to celebrating women whose leadership and professional achievements are contributing to Africa's development.
The summit was convened by Iconic International Holdings (Pty) Limited under the theme, “The Africa We Want: Women Inclusiveness in Rapid Sustainable Development.”
Throughout the summit, participants examined the importance of women's participation in corporate leadership, political engagement, social development and economic advancement.
The recognition of Utoh added a celebratory dimension to those discussions by placing the achievements of African women entrepreneurs and leaders at the centre of the evening programme.
The gala brought together prominent personalities from business, media, fashion, entertainment, tourism, healthcare, professional services, philanthropy and other sectors.
Utoh was among a distinguished group of women recognised during the occasion for their professional and leadership contributions.
The awards also provided a platform for networking and cross-border collaboration among women and professionals from across Africa.
The organisers positioned the awards as an opportunity to celebrate excellence while encouraging women to continue playing significant roles in shaping the continent's future.
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