Africa’s Business Heroes prize competition opens doors for 2022 top 10 winners

By Elias Hakizimana.

The Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) prize competition, one of the Jack Ma Foundation’s flagship philanthropic programs spotlighting and celebrating Africa’s entrepreneurial talent who are building a more sustainable and inclusive economy for the future of the continent, has launched applications for its fourth annual edition.

The official launch of this initiative taken place in Kigali on March 24, 2022 with a television premiere of the 3-episode series for the ABH 2021 competition.

The show follows the journeys of the top 10 finalists from 2021 as they geared up for the grand finale. It was filmed in 12 African countries has been premiered on CNBC Africa today on March 25 and be broadcast across Africa on StarTimes, DSTV, VoxAfrica and a number of African local TV stations, including Rwanda Television.

The show will also air on ABH’s official YouTube channel later this year.

“Entrepreneurship in Africa is experiencing a strong upward trajectory and it is so encouraging to see. But there are still so many entrepreneurs whose inspiring stories and impactful businesses need a spotlight, and who could benefit from additional support. And so the Africa’s Business Heroes prize competition is encouraging extraordinarily talented entrepreneurs from all 54 African countries, across every single sector, age group, and gender to apply in either English or French for a chance to win their share of a 1.5 million dollar grant, access to training, mentorship, and more.” said Zahra Baitie, Head of Partnerships & Programs, ABH.

“We want to enable entrepreneurs that are not only building successful businesses, but who are also running mission driven organizations that generate growth for their local communities across Africa. If this sounds like you, join the Africa’s Business Heroes prize competition today. It’s African Time,” She added.

Applications will be open online until 6^th June 2022 with semi-finalists announced in October and the top ten finalists for 2022 unveiled in November.

Applicants can refer to the link: https://africabusinessheroes.org/en/register

Testimonies of previous prize winners

Yvette Ishimwe, Founder and CEO of Iriba Water Group Limited, a social enterprise that offers innovative drinking water solutions in Rwanda is among the 2021 Top 10 Heroes. She said that this competitions opens the mind of business operators, enabling them to think beyond in expanding their activities.

She encouraged Rwandans to go for such applications without fear as this issue has been identified.

 “Rwandans who used to apply for international prizes and other opportunities are still few while they have good businesses that impact communities. The issue that is on top of that is fear, I would encourage Rwandans to reject that fear and go for application.” Ishimwe said.

Joan Rukundo Nalubega, CEO and Founder of Uganics, a social business that manufactures life-saving organic anti-malaria soap to address malaria in Uganda is among the winners of 2020 Top 10 Heroes. She said that the secret to win is first of all understanding her passion and being able to explain her project in a feasible way.

“My advice to those are planning or thinking of applying to the next session of ABH is that they can feel free to apply and tell their stories without being scared.

“Tell your story because many people want to hear it, make sure that you believe in yourself because when you do not believe in you no one will believe you, so, believe in your application, then feel like you won already,” Nalubega said.

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