The grand finale of Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) competition will be held on the sidelines of Africa’s Business Heroes Summit in Kigali, Rwanda from March 14-15, 2025 at the Kigali Convention Centre.
Ten (10) finalists including Maxima Nsimenta, founder of Livara (from Uganda) — who were announced last year in October will pitch/present their solutions to a panel of selected judges to win a share of US$1.5 million (approx. UGX5.507 billion) grant funding ranging from US$100,000 to US$300,000. The overall winner will receive US$300,000 while the 1st and 2nd runner-ups will receive US$250,000 and US$150,000 respectively. The remaining seven (7) finalists will each receive US$100,000. An additional US$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, training programs, etc.
The finalists from Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Uganda 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 entrepreneurs presented and articulated their business plans to judges while responding to thought-provoking questions. Their ability to convey their passion, expertise, and unique selling points was essential to impressing the judges —thus securing a spot in the top 10 finalists.
The 10 finalists are;
| Name | Startup | Country |
| Hadeel Fayek | Joviality for Cosmetics | Egypt |
| Rasha Rady | Chefaa | Egypt |
| Mina Shahid | Numida | Egypt |
| Clement Owusu-Donkor | Aquantuo | Ghana |
| Alexander Odhiambo | Solutech Limited | Kenya |
| Salma Bougarrani | GREEN WATECH | Morocco |
| Mobolaji Ajayi | PURELIFE PHARMACY | Nigeria |
| Henri Ousmane Gueye | EYONE | Senegal |
| Tisya Mukuna | La Boite (La Kinoise) | The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) |
| Maxima Nsimenta | LIVARA | Uganda |
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 10 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 US$153 million in investments and serving a vast base of over 37.5 million customers or users. Collectively, these entrepreneurs have received US$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 US$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.
ABH strives to foster an inclusive and dynamic entrepreneurial landscape in Africa. What sets ABH apart is its grassroots orientation, coupled with its age, gender, and sector-agnostic approach.
