The Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition, an acclaimed philanthropic initiative of Alibaba Philanthropy, has revealed the Top 20 entrepreneurs set to compete in the 2025 Semi-Finals in Dakar, Senegal, scheduled for 10–11 September 2025. The announcement follows an intensely competitive selection process, which began with nearly 32,000 applications from across the continent.
From the record–setting volume of applicants, entrepreneurs advanced through rigorous rounds including Top 50 Round 2 interviews and a comprehensive due-diligence review narrowing the field to the elite Top 20.
These finalists represent a diversity of sectors spanning healthtech, fintech, agritech, foodtech, edtech, and sustainability across nine countries, signifying Africa’s burgeoning innovation ecosystem.
The 2025 Semi-Final marks the first time ABH is being hosted in a Francophone country, with Senegal playing host for the inaugural time. The choice of Dakar highlights the country’s rising stature as a centre for entrepreneurship and innovation on the continent. Senegal’s robust GDP growth of 8.6%, coupled with its role as host of the upcoming 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the first ever in Africa cements its growing regional relevance.
Those who advance beyond the Semi-Finals to the Top 10 Heroes will benefit from grant funding between $100,000 and $300,000, complemented by mentorship, international networks, and global visibility. This combination of capital, expertise, and exposure has been instrumental in transforming ideas into scalable ventures across the continent.
The finalists will present their ventures before a distinguished panel:
Hasan Haidar, Managing Director of PlusVC, renowned for his investment leadership across early-stage startups in the Middle East and Africa.
Moulaye Taboure, CEO and founder of ANKA an e-commerce and fintech platform supporting African artisans, who returns as the first alumnus to serve as an ABH judge.
Jason Pau, Vice-President of Alibaba Group and Executive Director (International) of the Jack Ma Foundation, who has driven ABH’s global philanthropic outreach.
They will evaluate finalists on four key criteria: innovation, impact, scalability, and leadership.
The Semi-Final in Dakar is buoyed by the support of local and continental partners. The event is made possible by Alibaba Philanthropy, and principal Senegalese sponsors Wave, Sonatel, and InTouch Group.
Wave, a leading mobile-money platform, emphasizes its commitment: “This is more than sponsorship… it is a commitment to empowering entrepreneurs… positioning Senegal as a hub of Africa’s economic transformation”.
Additional ecosystem partners; Ignite.E, Impact Hub Dakar, SenStartup, and the African Leadership University (ALU) have coalesced to deepen engagement with Senegal’s entrepreneurial community.
Meet the 2025 Top 20 Heroes
Adriaan Kruger – nuvoteQ (South Africa): HealthTech / Digital Solutions
Baraka Chijenga – Kilimo Fresh Foods Africa Limited (Tanzania): AgriTech / Food Security
Blandine Umuziranenge – Kosmotive (Rwanda): HealthTech / Women Empowerment
Bundi Mbuthia – Uzapoint Technologies Limited (Kenya): SME Tech
Diana Gerald – NovFeed (Tanzania): AgriTech / Biotech
Gohar Said – Suplyd (Egypt): FoodTech / Supply Chain
Janet Kuteli – Fortune Credit Limited (Kenya): FinTech / Microfinance
Jean Lobe Lobe – Waspito (Cameroon): HealthTech / Telemedicine
Jessica Roussos – BluLever Education Pty Ltd (South Africa): EdTech / Skills Training
Khadija Churchill – Kwanza Tukule Foods Limited (Kenya): FoodTech / Distribution
Louisa Olafuyi – Kunda Kids Ltd (Uganda): EdTech / Children’s Media
Mofehintolu Funso – CredPal (Nigeria): FinTech / Credit Access
Moka Lantum – CheckUps Medical Center (Kenya): Healthcare / FinTech
Mukashahaha Diane – DIKAM Ltd (Rwanda): Textiles / Women & Youth Empowerment
Neamat Eltazi – Poultry Sync (Egypt): AgriTech / Sustainability
Racine Sarr – SAWA by Shop Me Away (Senegal): Logistics / Digital Platforms
Samwel Ezikiel – Mwamba Mining Limited (Tanzania): Mining / Sustainability
Siny Samba – Le Lionceau (Senegal): FoodTech / Infant Nutrition
Thomas Patrick – Franc Group (South Africa): FinTech / Wealth Management
Wycliffe Onyango – BuuPass (Kenya): Transport / Digital Ticketing
Now entering its seventh edition, ABH remains a cornerstone in Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape, highlighting founders who deliver both financial returns and societal change. The Semi-Final in Dakar is poised not only as a competition but as a convergence of ideas, networks, and opportunities.
As the countdown to 10–11 September 2025 begins, the anticipation builds: who among these 20 will rise to become a Top 10 Hero?
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