The finalists were selected based on their demonstration of visionary entrepreneurship, embodying traits such as innovation and creativity, impact on communities and societies, leadership and vision, the potential for growth and scalability, market demand, and financial sustainability.

Effective communication skills were also crucial as entrepreneurs were required to present and articulate their business plans to a select panel of judges while responding to thought-provoking questions. Their ability to convey their passion, expertise, and unique selling points is essential to impressing the judges and securing their support.

Maxima Nsimenta (from Uganda), and 9 other entrepreneurs from Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, and The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) will make their final presentations at the grand finale in Kigali, Rwanda on the sidelines of Africa’s Business Heroes Summit which will be held from December 3-5.

The entrepreneurs will win a share of USD$1.5 million (approx. UGX5.6 billion) grant funding ranging from USD$100,000 to USD$300,000. The overall winner will receive USD$300,000 while the 1st and 2nd runner-ups will receive USD$250,000 and USD$150,000 respectively. All other 7 finalists will each receive USD$100,000. An additional USD$100,000 is allocated for global immersion training.

The value of the prize goes beyond financial gain. All participants, including the winners and the finalists, will receive global recognition & exposure, access to an exclusive & vibrant entrepreneurship community and network, mentorship, and training programs, etc.

Livara is a personal care company that manufactures natural and organic products for natural hair and skin. Their mission is to bring equity to the cosmetics industry by providing authentically natural and organic solutions proven through centuries of use in Africa. In addition, the company wants to make natural haircare & skincare easy and accessible while empowering Africans.

The 10 finalists are;

Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) competition is part of the Jack Ma Foundation’s long-term commitment to help support and foster an inclusive and strong African entrepreneurial ecosystem. The program wants to recognize 100 African entrepreneurs over ten years and allocate grant funding alongside training, mentoring, and learning programs, as well as access to a community of like-minded African business leaders.

The competition empowers entrepreneurs and captivates audiences with the diversity and ingenuity of the business plans submitted. Each business plan tells a unique story of resilience, creativity, and the drive to make a positive impact in Africa. From innovative tech solutions and beauty and fashion to sustainable agricultural initiatives, the business plans showcased in the competition offer fascinating insights into the entrepreneurial landscape across Africa.

Since 2019, grant recipients of the ABH have achieved remarkable milestones, collectively raising over USD$153 million in investments and serving a vast base of over 37.5 million customers or users. Collectively, these entrepreneurs have received USD$7 million in prize money, facilitating their operations in 52 African countries.

Notably, their endeavors have created over 123,000 direct and indirect jobs, contributing to Africa’s economic development. With a combined reported revenue exceeding USD$252 million, ABH grant recipients continue to exemplify the transformative power of entrepreneurship in fostering growth, innovation, and socio-economic impact across the African continent.

Over the past five years, ABH has received immense support from investors, entrepreneurs, and business professionals from across the globe. Over 900 volunteers have collectively devoted over 15,280 hours to judging, mentoring, and supporting thousands of contestants, underscoring the powerful spirit of collaboration that fuels the competition’s success.

ABH strives to foster an inclusive and dynamic entrepreneurial landscape in Africa. In its fifth year, this annual competition continues to spotlight the remarkable talents of African entrepreneurs dedicated to effecting positive change within their communities. What sets ABH apart is its grassroots orientation, coupled with its age, gender, and sector-agnostic approach.

The post Livara Founder, Maxima Nsimenta Vies a Spot in the Top Finalists of ABH Competition appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

“A global panel of judges here chooses the 2024 ABH top 20, these heroes stand out for their innovation, impact, and potential to scale,” ABH said in a statement. “Hailing from 11 countries and spanning 8 industries, they reflect ABH’s commitment to identifying Africa’s most promising entrepreneurs.”

Among the 20, only one Ugandan, Maxima Nsimenta, Founder of Livara, made it to the list out of the 50 where there were 4.

“Livara’s journey is a marathon and I take the steps seriously —one foot in front of the other, one step at a time. Ugandans are great at winning global marathons,” said Nsimenta in a post on LinkedIn. “The Africa’s Business Heroes journey is a marathon to me and I am grateful for having reached the top 20. Out of 20,000 applicants, I have made the top 0.01%, it is worth celebrating. Onwards and upwards.”

The 20 entrepreneurs will pitch their businesses and vie for their spot in the top 10 —who will be announced in November during the Africa’s Business Heroes Summit & Grand-Finale.

The Africa’s Business Heroes finalists are selected based on their demonstration of visionary entrepreneurship, embodying traits such as innovation and creativity, impact on communities and societies, leadership and vision, the potential for growth and scalability, market demand, and financial sustainability.

Maxima Nsimenta is the founder of Livara, a personal care company that manufactures natural and organic products for natural hair and skin. Their mission is to bring equity to the cosmetics industry by providing authentically natural and organic solutions proven through centuries of use in Africa.

Nsimenta says Livara is on a mission to make natural haircare & skincare easy and accessible while empowering Africans.

The full list of 20 finalists are;

Africa’s Business Heroes competition is part of the Jack Ma Foundation’s long-term commitment to help support and foster an inclusive and strong African entrepreneurial ecosystem. The program wants to recognize 100 African entrepreneurs over ten years and allocate grant funding alongside training, mentoring, and learning programs, as well as access to a community of like-minded African business leaders.

The Africa’s Business Heroes competition not only empowers entrepreneurs but also captivates audiences with the diversity and ingenuity of the business plans submitted. Each business plan tells a unique story of resilience, creativity, and the drive to make a positive impact in Africa. From innovative tech solutions and beauty and fashion to sustainable agricultural initiatives, the business plans showcased in the competition offer fascinating insights into the entrepreneurial landscape across Africa.

The post Maxima Nsimenta Makes Africa’s Business Heroes Top 20 Finalists appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

The finalists are selected based on their demonstration of visionary entrepreneurship, embodying traits such as innovation and creativity, impact on communities and societies, leadership and vision, the potential for growth and scalability, market demand, and financial sustainability.

Effective communication skills are also crucial as entrepreneurs are required to present and articulate their business plans to a select panel of judges while responding to thought-provoking questions. Their ability to convey their passion, expertise, and unique selling points is essential to impressing the judges and securing their support.

Out of the 50 finalists, 4 are Ugandans; Daniel Mukisa, Louisa Kiwana, Martin Ssali, and Maxima Nsimenta. East Africa had most of the finalists, followed by West Africa, North Africa, South and Central Africa. Similar to last year, 36% (to be exact 19/50) of the finalists were female entrepreneurs.

The finalists are competing for a chance to win a share of USD$1.5 million (approx. UGX5.6 billion) grant funding. However, the value of the prize goes beyond financial gain. It represents an extraordinary platform where all participants, including the winners and the finalists, benefit from the expertise and insights garnered by the ABH community of business leaders.

Daniel Mukisa, Co-founder and CEO of Ridelink, an e-logistics platform developed to connect small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to a network of transport operators. The company reports having served more than 250 SMEs with over 2000 drivers delivering cargo throughout East Africa.

Louisa Kiwana, Co-founder and Director of Kunda Kids Limited, a publishing company whose books teach generosity and the importance of helping others, and engages readers (of ages 3-8) through the rhythmic rhyming sequences throughout the story, as well as the beautiful illustrations of exotic and royal scenery.

Martin Ssali, Founder and Technical Director of Smart Foods Limited, an agro-processing company focusing on processing of innovative food products for domestic and export markets.

Maxima Nsimenta, Founder of Livara, a personal care company manufacturing natural and organic products for natural hair and skin. Their mission is to bring equity to the cosmetics industry by providing authentically natural and organic solutions proven through centuries of use in Africa.

Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) competition is part of the Jack Ma Foundation’s long-term commitment to help support and foster an inclusive and strong African entrepreneurial ecosystem. The program wants to recognize 100 African entrepreneurs over ten years and allocate grant funding alongside training, mentoring, and learning programs, as well as access to a community of like-minded African business leaders.

The competition empowers entrepreneurs and captivates audiences with the diversity and ingenuity of the business plans submitted. Each business plan tells a unique story of resilience, creativity, and the drive to make a positive impact in Africa. From innovative tech solutions and beauty and fashion to sustainable agricultural initiatives, the business plans showcased in the competition offer fascinating insights into the entrepreneurial landscape across Africa.

Since 2019, grant recipients of the ABH have achieved remarkable milestones, collectively raising over USD$153 million in investments and serving a vast base of over 37.5 million customers or users. Collectively, these entrepreneurs have received USD$7 million in prize money, facilitating their operations in 52 African countries.

Notably, their endeavors have created over 123,000 direct and indirect jobs, contributing to Africa’s economic development. With a combined reported revenue exceeding USD$252 million, ABH grant recipients continue to exemplify the transformative power of entrepreneurship in fostering growth, innovation, and socio-economic impact across the African continent.

Over the past five years, ABH has received immense support from investors, entrepreneurs, and business professionals from across the globe. Over 900 volunteers have collectively devoted over 15,280 hours to judging, mentoring, and supporting thousands of contestants, underscoring the powerful spirit of collaboration that fuels the competition’s success.

ABH strives to foster an inclusive and dynamic entrepreneurial landscape in Africa. In its fifth year, this annual competition continues to spotlight the remarkable talents of African entrepreneurs dedicated to effecting positive change within their communities. What sets ABH apart is its grassroots orientation, coupled with its age, gender, and sector-agnostic approach.

The post 4 Ugandan Entrepreneurs Make ABH Top 50 Finalists appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

Out of the 10, only three (3) were selected as the top winners. Ikpeme Neto (from Nigeria) emerged as the overall winner while Thomas Njeru (from Kenya), and Ayman Bazaraa (from Egypt) came in as 1st and 2nd runners-up respectively.

Ikpeme received a cash prize of USD$300,000, Njeru received USD$250,000 and Bazaraa received USD$150,000. PC Tech Magazine is aware that the value of the prize goes beyond financial gain. All participants, including the winners and the finalists, will benefit from the expertise and insights garnered by Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) community of business leaders.

The top three winners were selected through multiple stages of interviews and evaluations from a staggering 27,267 applications spanning all 54 African nations. They demonstrated exceptional ingenuity and tenacity, substantially impacting their communities and beyond.

The seven (7) finalists shared USD$100,000 cash prize each receiving USD$10,000. The extra USD$10,000 was allocated to each of the top 10 finalists for post-competition training programs.

“The winners of this year’s ABH competition embody bold ambition and innovation, exemplifying the true essence of entrepreneurial spirit and a deep commitment to addressing societal challenges,” said Jason Pau, Executive Director of International Programs, at Jack Ma Foundation.

Pau further added, “The judges recognized them for their remarkable ability to turn challenges into opportunities, unwavering commitment to community betterment, and innovative approaches to solving pressing issues.” “Their resilience, passion, and impactful contributions make them not just business leaders, but true champions of change.”

The overall winner Dr. Ikpeme Neto founded Wellahealth Technologies — which strives to make healthcare affordable and accessible by facilitating easy access to insurance through the provision of one-dollar plans and offering care for common health conditions.

“I am deeply honored to be named this year’s Africa’s Business Heroes overall winner,” said Ikpeme. “This award energizes my commitment to driving positive change through innovation and I am excited for the recognition of Wellahealth Technologies’ work and grateful for my team, family, and the ABH team for making this impact in healthcare across Africa possible.”

The 1st runners-up Thomas Njeru co-founded Pula Advisors Limited, an agricultural insurance and technology company that designs and delivers innovative agricultural insurance and digital products. These offerings aim to assist smallholder farmers in managing yield risks, improving farming practices, and ultimately increasing their incomes over time.

The 2nd runners-up Ayman Bazaraa co-founded Sprints, a pioneering initiative addressing the tech talent gap in Africa. Sprint’s journey starts with a talent assessment, then it creates specialized learning paths. This approach ensures high-paying job placements and provides unwavering support for the career growth of their alumni.

2023 sees the 5th anniversary of ABH, marking the halfway point in the prize competition program. To commemorate this milestone, a celebratory summit spanning two days from November 23 to 24 was held in conjunction with the Grand Finale. Themed “AI: African Insight, Innovation, Impact,” the ABH Summit and Grand Finale brought together more than 1,750 entrepreneurial ecosystem players and aspiring entrepreneurs from across Africa in the largest physical event in ABH’s history.

“In commemorating our five-year journey, we extend our gratitude to all the judges, volunteers, and partners who have worked hand-in-hand together on this remarkable journey,” said Pau. “Looking back, we find strength in the tenacity of the entrepreneurs we have supported together.”

Since 2019, grant recipients of the ABH Prize Competition have achieved remarkable milestones, collectively raising over USD$153 million in investments and serving a vast base of over 37.5 million customers or users. Collectively, these entrepreneurs have received USD$7 million in prize money, facilitating their operations in 52 African countries.

Notably, their endeavors have led to the creation of over 123,000 direct and indirect jobs, contributing to the region’s economic development. With a combined reported revenue exceeding USD$252 million, ABH grant recipients continue to exemplify the transformative power of entrepreneurship in fostering growth, innovation, and socio-economic impact across the African continent.

Over the past five years, ABH has received immense support from investors, entrepreneurs, and business professionals from across the globe. A total of 903 volunteers have collectively devoted over 15,280 hours to judging, mentoring, and supporting thousands of contestants, underscoring the powerful spirit of collaboration that fuels the success of the competition.

The Africa’s Business Heroes Prize Competition strives to foster an inclusive and dynamic entrepreneurial landscape in Africa. In its fifth year, this annual competition continues to spotlight the remarkable talents of African entrepreneurs dedicated to effecting positive change within their communities. What sets ABH apart is its grassroots orientation, coupled with its age, gender, and sector-agnostic approach.

The post Africa’s Business Heroes Unveils Winners of its 2023 Prize Competition appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

In an announcement made on X (formerly Twitter), ABH said, “We’re thrilled to introduce our remarkable 2023 Top 10 Africa’s Business Heroes — a testament to the unwavering determination and innovation that drives meaningful impact across the continent.” Adding “Each of them is geared up to take a leap into the grand finale this coming November, infusing the journey of these aspiring visionaries with their passion.”

The finalists a competing to get a share of USD$1.5 million (approx. UGX5.5 billion). PC Tech Magazine is aware that the value of the prize goes beyond financial gain. All participants, including the overall winners and the finalists, will benefit from the expertise and insights garnered by Africa’s Business Heroes community of business leaders.

“As we celebrate their incredible achievements so far, we eagerly await the finals [coming this November], where the 10 finalists stand to win a share of up to USD$1.5 million in grant funding,” ABH wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

The distinguished judges; Rene Parker, Fred Swaniker, Ken Njoroge, and Hasan Haider interrogated the 20 semi-finalists identifying the 2023 top 10 Africa’s Business Heroes. The 10 finalists include;

1. Ayman Bazaraa, co-founder of Sprints. (Egypt)
2. Bola Bardet, founder and CEO of Susu. (Benin)
3. Christina Gyisun, founder and CEO of Sommalife Limited. (Ghana)
4. Albert Munyabugingo, co-founder and CEO of Vuba Vuba Africa Ltd. (Rwanda)
5. Ismael Belkhayat, co-founder of Chari. (Morocco)
6. Ikpeme Neto, founder of WellaHealth Technologies. (Nigeria)
7. Theo Baloyi, CEO of Bathu. (South Africa)
8. Andrew Takyi-Appiah, founder of Zeepay Ghana Limited. (Ghana)
9. Nthabiseng Mosia, co-founder of Easy Solar. (South Africa)
10. Thomas Njeru, co-founder and CEO of Pula Advisors Limited. (Kenya)

The finalists were selected based on their demonstration of visionary entrepreneurship, embodying traits such as innovation and creativity, impact on communities and societies, leadership and vision, the potential for growth and scalability, market demand, and financial sustainability.

Effective communication skills was also crucial as finalists were required to present and articulate their business plans while responding to thought-provoking questions from the judges. Their ability to convey their passion, expertise, and unique selling points was essential to impressing the judges thus securing their spot in the final 10.

We were unable to reach any of the 10 finalists for a comment regarding their selection in the last 10.

Africa’s Business Heroes competition is part of the Jack Ma Foundation’s long-term commitment to help support and foster an inclusive and strong African entrepreneurial ecosystem. The program wants to recognize 100 African entrepreneurs over a ten-year period and allocate grant funding alongside training, mentoring, and learning programs, as well as access to a community of like-minded African business leaders.

The Africa’s Business Heroes competition not only empowers entrepreneurs but also captivates audiences with the diversity and ingenuity of the business plans submitted. Each business plan tells a unique story of resilience, creativity, and the drive to make a positive impact in Africa. From innovative tech solutions and beauty and fashion to sustainable agricultural initiatives, the business plans showcased in the competition offer fascinating insights into the entrepreneurial landscape across Africa.

The post The 2023 Top 10 Africa’s Business Heroes Named appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

The 20 semi-finalists emerged from a pool of 27,000 applications that were received from fifty-four (54) countries across Africa representing more than 10 industries including; Agriculture, Business Services, Education & Training, Energy, Financial Services, Food & Beverages, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Retail, and Transportation.

The 20 entrepreneurs will gather in person in Kigali, Rwanda from Sep. 1-2, 2023 to pitch their businesses and vie for their spot in the top 10 to be guaranteed their share of USD$1.5 million (approx. UGX5,564,614,500). The pitches are thus set to be an inspiring showdown Judges will interrogate the entrepreneurs to identify who make it as the top 10 Africa’s Business Heroes for 2023.

The value of the prize goes beyond financial gain. All participants, including the winners and the finalists, will benefit from the expertise and insights garnered by Africa’s Business Heroes community of business leaders.

The finalists (the top 10) will be announced in November during the Africa’s Business Heroes Summit & Grand-Finale that will be held in Kigali, Rwanda from Nov. 23-24, 2023.

The Africa’s Business Heroes finalists are selected based on their demonstration of visionary entrepreneurship, embodying traits such as innovation and creativity, impact on communities and societies, leadership and vision, the potential for growth and scalability, market demand, and financial sustainability.

Effective communication skills are also crucial as finalists are required to present and articulate their business plans to the judges while responding to thought-provoking questions within a specified number of minutes. Their ability to convey their passion, expertise, and unique selling points is essential to impressing the judges and securing their support.

The 20 semi-finalists include;

Africa’s Business Heroes competition is part of the Jack Ma Foundation’s long-term commitment to help support and foster an inclusive and strong African entrepreneurial ecosystem. The program wants to recognize 100 African entrepreneurs over a ten-year period and allocate grant funding alongside training, mentoring, and learning programs, as well as access to a community of like-minded African business leaders.

The Africa’s Business Heroes competition not only empowers entrepreneurs but also captivates audiences with the diversity and ingenuity of the business plans submitted. Each business plan tells a unique story of resilience, creativity, and the drive to make a positive impact in Africa. From innovative tech solutions and beauty and fashion to sustainable agricultural initiatives, the business plans showcased in the competition offer fascinating insights into the entrepreneurial landscape across Africa.

The post The 20 Semi-finalists of the Africa’s Business Heroes 2023 Announced appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

“At Africa’s Business Heroes, we are absolutely thrilled to announce the highly anticipated 2023 cohort of our remarkable top 50 finalists! After receiving an overwhelming response from over 27,000 applicants from diverse industries and sectors across Africa,” ABH said in a statement.

Out of the 50 finalists, 40% came from West Africa, 28% from East Africa, 16% from North Africa, 12% from Southern Africa, and 4% from Central Africa. In addition to this year’s number, ABH was thrilled to have a record number of inspiring female applicants, surpassing previous years — to be exact 36% of the finalists were female entrepreneurs.

The ABH finalists are selected based on their demonstration of visionary entrepreneurship, embodying traits such as innovation and creativity, impact on communities and societies, leadership and vision, the potential for growth and scalability, market demand, and financial sustainability.

Effective communication skills are also crucial as finalists are required to present and articulate their business plans to the judges while responding to thought-provoking questions within a specified number of minutes. Their ability to convey their passion, expertise, and unique selling points is essential to impressing the judges and securing their support.

The ABH competition not only empowers entrepreneurs but also captivates audiences with the diversity and ingenuity of the business plans submitted. Each business plan tells a unique story of resilience, creativity, and the drive to make a positive impact in Africa. From innovative tech solutions and beauty and fashion to sustainable agricultural initiatives, the business plans showcased in the competition offer fascinating insights into the entrepreneurial landscape across the continent.

Many of the business plans submitted demonstrated the remarkable depth of talent and the transformative ideas that are emerging from Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The finalists are competing for a chance to win a share of USD$1.5 million (approx. UGX5,491,783,500) grant funding. However, the value of the prize goes beyond financial gain. It represents an extraordinary platform where all participants, including the winners and the finalists, benefit from the expertise and insights garnered by the ABH community of business leaders.

“To the top 50 finalists, we wish you the best of luck in the upcoming rounds. Let the pursuit of impact and the $1.5 million prize fuel your passion and drive,” per ABH.

The ABH competition has become a significant platform that aims to recognize 100 African entrepreneurs over a ten-year period, providing them with grant funding alongside other resources, mentorship, and exposure needed to thrive in the business landscape.

The list of the 50 finalists;

The post 50 Finalists of the 2023 Africa’s Business Heroes Compete For $1.5M appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

The three overall winners were; Khadija Mohamed Elbedweihy; Founder, PraxiLabs (Egypt) who emerged in the first place, winning USD$300,000. PraxiLabs is solving pressing issues around education and training, and is focused and determined to change how Africa learns and teaches science, one virtual lab at a time.

“I’m very humbled to be named Africa’s Business Hero. This competition has been an incredible journey. I have learnt important lessons from each judge and from my fellow talented entrepreneurs. I hope that this win inspires many young Africans to believe, that we have what it takes to make an impact where we are,” said Khadija Mohamed Elbedweihy.

Ikenna Nzewi, Co-founder and CEO of Releaf (Nigeria) and Navalayo Osembo-Ombati, Co-founder and CEO of Enda Athletic (Kenya) came in 2nd and 3rd places respectively. Ikenna won USD$250,000 and Navalayo won USD$150,000 totaling the three cash prizes to USD$700,000 out of the USD$1.5 million that has to be shared amongst the top 10 finalists.

From the remaining balance, the remaining 7 finalists will each receive USD$100,000 and an additional USD$10,000 will be allocated to each finalist for a training program to be hosted by the Alibaba Group’s headquarters in Hangzhou, China. Thus, totaling to USD$1.5 million of the grant allocation.

The 7 finalists are; Ghirmay Abraham; Founder, Aptech Africa (Uganda), Oghenetega Iortim; Founder, Gricd (Nigeria), Yvette Ishimwe; Founder & CEO, IRIBA Water Group (Rwanda), Charlot Magayi; Founder & CEO, Mukuru Clean Stoves (Kenya), Chidi Nwaogu; Co-founder & CEO, Publiseer (Nigeria), Violet Amoabeng – Founder & CEO, Skin Gourmet (Ghana), and Ketshephaone Jacob – Founder & CEO, The Bulb World (Botswana).

In a press statement, Joe Tsai, Executive Vice Chairman of Alibaba Group, said this year’s top 10 finalists came from inspiring personal stories that is invaluable not only to their teams and communities, but to many would-be entrepreneurs across the continent who are thinking about pursuing this path.

“The kind of talent and passion I saw among this year’s Africa’s Business Heroes is unrivaled around the world. They are innovators and problem-solvers, but most importantly, they have a driving sense of mission and social impact,” Tsai said. He conclude by congratulating all the winners. “We look forward to seeing what you accomplish next,” he said.

In his remarks, Victor Williams, NBA Africa CEO said, all of the Africa’s Business Heroes are inspiring leaders who are actively pursuing their passions and helping Africa take its rightful place on the world stage.

“Entrepreneurship – like sport – is a transformative force for positive social change and economic growth. I want to congratulate the winners of this year’s Africa’s Business Heroes competition. I look forward to engaging with all of them as they continue their entrepreneurial journeys on the continent,” he said.

This year’s prize competition, over 12,000 applications were received from all 54 countries in Africa under the theme, “It’s African Time”, a bold call to action for all talented African entrepreneurs who are challenging stereotypes associated with “African time” through their businesses, to leverage Africa’s Business Heroes prize to scale their efforts as well as share their stories of how they’ve driven change and solutions.

The top ten winners represented seven (7) African countries: Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Uganda. Their businesses span across key industries; Agriculture, Beauty, Education, Energy, Food & Beverage, Logistics, Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment, and Retail. 80% of the finalists operate their businesses in rural areas and half of the finalists are female.

Africa’s Business Heroes is a flagship philanthropic program established by the Jack Ma Foundation to help foster an inclusive and vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in Africa. The annual competition, shines a spotlight on talented African entrepreneurs who are working to make a difference in their communities and helping to build a more sustainable, inclusive future. The competition is grassroots oriented as well as age, gender, language and sector agnostic.

ABH will recognize 100 African entrepreneurs over a ten-year period and allocate grant funding alongside training, mentoring, and learning programs, as well as access to a community of like-minded African business leaders.

Applications for the 2022 ABH prize competition will open in early 2022.

The post The 2021 Africa’s Business Heroes Winners Announced appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

The top ten winners represented seven (7) African countries: Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Uganda. Nigeria had the most winners —3 to be exact, followed by Kenya with 2, and the remaining countries each had 1. Their businesses span across key industries; Agriculture, Beauty, Education, Energy, Food & Beverage, Logistics, Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment, and Retail. 80% of the finalists operate their businesses in rural areas.

“It was extremely difficult to shortlist the final 10 because each entrepreneur was so inspiring. They demonstrated the resilience, passion, imagination, and traction that we need in our entrepreneurs here in Africa,” Fred Swaniker, Founder of ALU and a judge of ABH, said.

The journey to the grand finals continues where the finalists face several rounds of rigorous evaluation panels, as well as access to a community of international leaders and innovators, industry experts, investors, and accelerators, through a number of multi-disciplinary boot camps and training sessions.

The top 10 winners are competing to get a share of USD$1.5 million (approx. UGX5,341,500,000) cash prize which will be coupled with invaluable networking and learning opportunities throughout their ABH journey.

Out of the top is a Ugandan, Ghirmay Abraham; Founder of Aptech Africa, a grown multinational business working to bring electricity and water to people across Africa —as well as eliminate poverty and hunger through the use of irrigation for crop and income increase, leading to economic growth.

“I’m so honored to be selected for the top 10 African Business Heroes. Together with the support of ABH, we will create a positive impact in Africa through renewable energy solutions,” Abraham told PC Tech Magazine.

Aptech Africa is currently operating in seven African countries; the Central African Republic (CAR), Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Liberia, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Uganda — dedicated to working with the United Nations (UN) to achieve its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In November this year, Africa’s Business Heroes will host its Grand Finale in a virtual format, and these top 10 finalists will pitch their businesses, and in the due course, the overall winners will be announced.

“Every year the competition gets tougher for the entrepreneurs but it also makes it harder for us judges to choose our top 10. I wish the top 10 well on the next phase of the competition and congratulations to our Heroes,” Rene Parker, Director at R Labs and a Judge of ABH, said.

Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) is part of the Jack Ma Foundation’s long-term commitment to help support and foster an inclusive and strong Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. They will recognize 100 African entrepreneurs over a ten-year period and allocate grant funding alongside training, mentoring, and learning programs, as well as access to a community of like-minded African business leaders.

This year’s competition was themed, “It’s African Time”, a bold call to action for all talented African entrepreneurs who challenged stereotypes associated with “African time” through their businesses, leveraging ABH’s prize to scale their efforts as well as share their stories of how they’ve driven change and solutions.

Ugandan entrepreneurs that participated in this year’s competition and made it to the top 50 were; Emmanuel Emodek; Co-Founder & Managing Director at ChapChap Africa Limited, Robert Kintu; CEO at Fit Insights Limited, Peter Kakoma; CEO at Kanzu Code Limited, Daniel Mukisa; Founder & Team Lead at RideLink Limited, Ronald Hakiza; CEO & Co-Founder at Ugabus Inc. Limited, and Ghirmay Abraham; Founder and Managing Director at Aptech Africa Ltd.

Emmanuel Emodek, Daniel Mukisa, and Ghirmay Abraham made it to the top 20, and finally only one, Ghirmay Abraham emerged in the 10 finalists for this year’s competition.

ALSO READ: THINK OF RIDELINK AS AN UBER FOR TRUCKS BUT ON STEROIDS — INTERVIEW WITH DANIEL MUKISA

The top 10 finalists are;

1. Ghirmay Abraham, Founder, Aptech Africa – (Uganda).
2. Navalayo Osembo-Ombati, Co-Founder and CEO, Enda Athletic – (Kenya).
3. Oghenetega Iortim, Founder, Gricd -(Nigeria).
4. Yvette Ishimwe, Founder and CEO, IRIBA Water Group – (Rwanda).
5. Charlot Magayi, Founder and CEO, Mukuru Clean Stoves – (Kenya).
6. Khadija Mohamed Elbedweihy, Founder, PraxiLabs – (Egypt).
7. Chidi Nwaogu, Co-founder and CEO, Publiseer – (Nigeria).
8. Ikenna Nzewi, Co-founder and CEO, Releaf – (Nigeria).
9. Violet Amoabeng, Founder and CEO, Skin Gourmet – (Ghana).
10. Ketsheaphone Jacob, Founder, and CEO, The Bulb World – (Botswana).

Reporter’s Note: Updated with comment from Ghirmay Abraham

The post A Ugandan Emerges in the Top 10 Africa’s Business Heroes Competition appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

With the deadline extended, the jury will announce the semi-finalists for the competition in August, and later the top ten finalists will be unveiled in September. The top 10 outstanding African entrepreneurs with a share of a USD$1.5 million (approx. UGX5,289,000,000) grant.

Meanwhile, ABH expanded its ecosystem of partners so as to support talented and promising African entrepreneurs.

ABH had consolidated its long-standing collaboration with Anchor Partners, including African Leadership Group, Janngo, and RiseUp, to work together to mobilize talented and mission-driven entrepreneurs from across the continent. This year, the Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) has also joined ABH’s partner ecosystem and will help to ensure the greater participation of female entrepreneurs and business owners.

“I am proud of our partnership with Africa’s Business Heroes prize. At AWIEF, we want to see more women entrepreneurs becoming winners in this coveted competition. It’s really African time and there are many amazing women innovators and business owners driving that change to an inclusive African economic growth,” Ms. Irene Ochem, Founder and CEO of AWIEF, said.

Other partners coming on board include; the Research Institute for Innovation & Sustainability, VC4A, and Briter Bridges.

“Founders across Africa are working hard to bring about important innovations and solutions that address some of the world’s most pressing problems. It is important we celebrate these efforts and work together to support these entrepreneurs,” Mr. Ben White, Founder, and CEO of VC4A, commented on the partnership.

Mr. Dario Giuliani, Director at Briter Bridges, also noted that “Briter Bridges is excited to be partnering with players such as Africa’s Business Heroes that bring fresh and strategic resources into Africa’s tech ecosystem. Briter brings its expertise in leveraging its data and network to help the team focus on targeted market opportunities.”

ABH’s partner network also includes media outlets such as CNBC Africa, Pulse Africa, and StarTimes, as well as incubators and accelerators such as the Moroccan Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the Ethiopia Entrepreneurship Development Center, Impact Hub Dakar and i4policy, and communications platforms like Sasai, and telecoms operator Liquid Telecom.

“We are immensely grateful to all our partners as we work hand in hand to give the talented entrepreneurs from across Africa a platform to grow their businesses and share their stories,” Zahra Baitie-Boateng, Head of Partnerships and Programs at ABH, said in a press statement. “With their unparalleled expertise, they serve a critical role in engaging with entrepreneurs from a diverse range of regions and industries. With the support of this robust network of partners, we will be able to do even more to support African entrepreneurs.”

This year’s competition, Jason Pau, Executive Director of International, Jack Ma Foundation said the foundation will recognize Africa’s extraordinary entrepreneurs, whose business ventures not only are successful and profitable but are generating a positive impact on their local communities.

The applications are open (FOLLOW/CLICK LINK TO APPLY) across all sectors and African countries, with special emphasis on entrepreneurs working to achieve the UN SDGs. Entrepreneurs from all 54 African countries, across every sector, age group, and gender will now be able to submit their applications, in either French and English.

This year’s competition is themed, “It’s African Time”, is a bold call to action for all talented African entrepreneurs who are challenging stereotypes associated with “African time” through their businesses, to leverage Africa’s Business Heroes prize to scale their efforts as well as share their stories of how they’ve driven change and solutions.

The journey to the finals in September will include several rounds of rigorous evaluation panels, as well as access to a community of international leaders and innovators, industry experts, investors, and accelerators, through a number of multi-disciplinary boot camps and training sessions.

Africa’s Business Heroes is part of the Jack Ma Foundation’s long-term commitment to help support and foster an inclusive and strong Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. ABH will recognize 100 African entrepreneurs over a ten-year period and allocate grant funding alongside training, mentoring, and learning programs, as well as access to a community of like-minded African business leaders.

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