Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) has unveiled the top twenty (20) finalists of their 2024 prize competition —chosen from a pool of fifty (50) entrepreneurs.
“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;
| Name | Innovation | Country |
| Adewale Yusuf | AltSchoolAfrica | Nigeria |
| Adriaan Kruger | nuvoteQ | South Africa |
| Alexander Odhiambo | Solutech Limited | Kenya |
| Bamba Lo | PAPS | Senegal |
| Clement Owusu-Donkor | Aquantuo | Ghana |
| Denis Karema | Sokofresh Agri Innovations East Africa Limited | Kenya |
| Emmanuel Tuyisenge | TEMACO BUILDERS | Rwanda |
| Godwin Benson | Tuteria | Nigeria |
| Hadeel Fayek | Joviality for Cosmetics | Egypt |
| Henri Ousmane Gueye | EYONE | Senegal |
| Ikechukwu Anoke | Zuri Health | Nigeria |
| Jihan Abass | Lami | Kenya |
| Matina Razafimahefa | SAYNA | Madagascar |
| Maxima Nsimenta | LIVARA | Uganda |
| Mina Shahid | Numida | Egypt |
| Mobolaji Ajayi | PURELIFE PHARMACY | Nigeria |
| Muriuki Collins | TERRA | Kenya |
| Rasha Rady | Chefaa | Egypt |
| Salma Bougarrani | GREEN WATECH | Morocco |
| Tisya Mukuna | La Boite (La Kinoise) | The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) |
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.
