Fifty finalists from 20 countries have been selected as finalists for the fifth edition of the Africa’s Business Heroes initiative, a philanthropic programme to support African entrepreneurs.
The annual Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition, sponsored by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy, conducts a continent-wide search with its partners for 10 outstanding, mission-driven entrepreneurs that are striving to make a difference in their local communities.
These top 10 finalists will compete for a share of US$1.5 million in grant money. Over a 10-year period, ABH will recognise a total of 100 African entrepreneurs.
Over 27,000 entrepreneurs from all 54 African countries applied for the 2023 edition, with the “Top 50 heroes” now selected. They hail from 20 countries, representing 10 sectors, including 38 per cent female entrepreneurs, and showcase some of the most impactful businesses operating across the continent. You can find the full list here.
These 50 finalists will gradually be whittled down to a final 10 who will take the stage to present their businesses to a panel of legendary business people at the Grand Finale later this year. The journey to the finale will also include access to a community of international business leaders and innovators, industry experts, investors and accelerators, as well as multi-disciplinary bootcamps and training sessions to help the participating entrepreneurs take their businesses to the next level.
“At ABH, we have long recognised the potential of entrepreneurs as engines of economic and social growth. Now in the fifth year of the competition, we are encouraged to see that ABH has grown into a truly pan-African initiative that is positively impacting the continent’s entrepreneurship landscape,” Zahra Baitie-Boateng, head of partnerships and programmes of ABH.
“We are extremely impressed with the increasing diversity of our Heroes and how they’ve been taking tangible steps to solve some of Africa’s most challenging issues. We encourage entrepreneurs from all countries, especially those from smaller countries, to seize the opportunity of ABH 2023 to tell and inspire millions more with their unique stories.”
