Prominent businesswoman Tokky Hou has been crowned Africa’s Manufacturer of the Year (Regional) at the prestigious Pan African Women Empowerment Summit (PAWES) Awards.
The award was presented at a gala ceremony at the Double Tree Hotel in Cape Town, where industry leaders, policymakers, investors and trailblazing women from across Africa gathered to honour excellence in manufacturing, leadership and economic empowerment.
Hou, the Managing Director and sole local owner among the country’s 22 major textile factories, leads Far East Textiles, a factory employing nearly 600 people, 98% of whom are women.
In securing the regional title, she triumphed over an impressive line-up of finalists from across Africa, including leading industrialists and corporate executives representing global brands and high-impact development sectors.
Reacting to her win, an emotional Hou said she was deeply honoured and described the recognition as a victory for her entire team and family.
“This is truly humbling. We have worked for years in a very demanding and competitive industry, so to be recognised at continental level is something I do not take lightly,” she said.
“This award belongs to every woman and every individual in our factory who shows up with commitment every day. It is an affirmation that consistency, resilience and excellence do get rewarded,” she added.
The Manufacturer of the Year category was among the most competitive in the awards, featuring accomplished finalists whose work spans industrial development, value-added manufacturing, and international export advancement.
Among the finalists was Duchess Group CEO Dr Victoria Akai, which operates in both Abuja and Detroit. Dr Akai is a veteran of more than 20 years in international trade facilitation, value-added manufacturing, and export development. She has led over 20 global trade missions and worked on major development projects funded by the World Bank, European Union, GIZ and TFO Canada.
Another standout finalist was CEMEX Egypt and UAE Head of Communication, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Zeinab Hegazy, spokesperson for one of the region’s largest cement producers. With more than two decades in the manufacturing and construction sector, Hegazy has shaped corporate governance, sustainability programmes and community-centred industrial development across the Middle East and North Africa.
Also competing in the top group was President of OWIT Ghana, Alexandra Prempeh, whose leadership in international trade has opened global pathways for women entrepreneurs. Under Prempeh’s stewardship, OWIT Ghana has partnered with institutions such as United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), building capacity, advocacy strength and competitiveness for African women in global markets.
Hou’s rise to regional acclaim has been defined by both industrial performance and social impact. Under her leadership, Far East Textiles has become one of the country’s most competitive exporters, producing high-quality garments for leading Southern African retailers including The Foschini Group and Woolworths.
Her factory has earned a reputation for consistent production standards, reliability and innovation, qualities that have secured long-term trust from major brands.
In 2022, Far East Textiles won Top Business Woman Exporter and in 2021, it placed second runner-up at the Southern Africa Regional Exporters Awards, competing against firms from eight countries.
Beyond manufacturing, Hou has a deep commitment to community upliftment that has made her one of the country’s most admired business leaders.
She is the visionary behind Vukani BoMake, a climate-friendly empowerment initiative providing sewing and entrepreneurial skills to over 250 women, youth and people with disabilities. Operating from container-based mini-factories, the project repurposes textile waste into reusable shopping bags, crocheted goods, wine holders and home decor items. It has already prevented more than 50 000 kg of carbon emissions, proving that environmental sustainability and grassroots empowerment can coexist.
The initiative has earned praise from national leaders and global partners. Inkhosikati LaMatsebula recently described Vukani BoMake as evidence that the true African way is using our hands to sustain ourselves, while the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development has committed to formal partnership to scale the programme nationwide.
Eswatini Observer Press Reader | View Here
