What do African entrepreneurs need to thrive?

What do African entrepreneurs need to thrive? And what if there was a program that could provide them with the essential elements they need to succeed – a program that offers access to capital, training, mentoring, networking opportunities, and a supportive community all in one place? Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) is one such program.

Since 2019, ABH, Jack Ma Foundation’s philanthropic program, has identified, showcased, and supported the next generation of African entrepreneurs through its inclusive and sector-agnostic prize competition. Each year the prize carefully selects ten innovative entrepreneurs from across Africa to compete for their share of $1.5 million in grant funding. But more than that, these ‘business heroes’ also access exclusive mentorship and training, enabling them to improve their skills, refine their business strategies, and amplify their impact.

To date, ABH has nurtured a remarkable cohort of 40 business heroes, comprising talented men and women from various regions of the continent. These trailblazers are tackling some of Africa’s most pressing challenges, leveraging their ingenuity and resilience to drive social and economic change.   

BEYOND A COMPETITION: HOW AFRICA’S BUSINESS HEROES IS CREATING LASTING VALUE FOR AFRICAN ENTREPRENEURS
he entrepreneurial ecosystem in Africa is thriving, but it can be complex and challenging to navigate. Despite an abundance of brilliant business ideas, entrepreneurs often face obstacles such as infrastructure challenges, regulatory barriers, limited access to funding, and a lack of quality education and training, in addition to cultural factors.
Read More
women entrepreneurs in africa
RUNNING WITH THE TIMES: NAVALAYO OSEMBO’S ENDA IS RACING TO LEAD ATHLETIC FASHION
What do Nike, Puma and Adidas have in common aside from being the world’s biggest sporting shoe brands? There are many not-so-cryptic answers, including that their founders were fueled by the desire to make better shoes for athletes and the fact that they were all male and Western …
Read More
THE AFRICA’S BUSINESS HEROES PRIZE EFFECT: GRICD’S EXPANSION STORY
With a fast-growing population, Africa is witnessing a remarkable rise in entrepreneurial ventures. From small-scale startups to established enterprises, businesses of all sizes have the burning desire to meet the evolving demands of the population, which seeks innovative solutions, products, and services ….
Read More
NADIA GAMAL EL-DIN, AN AFRICAN BUSINESS HERO EMPOWERING MOTHERS ACROSS NORTH AFRICA
Motherhood is a profession as old as creation. But many parts of the world still undervalue its strength today. In Egypt, for example, birth rates have been falling for years. As of 2020, there were approximately 23 births per 1000 people in a year. You might draw a straight line between this fact and how up until …
Read More
The ABH show: Episode 1

Boundless resilience, relentless energy, and unwavering passion – traits that best encapsulate Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH), recognised entrepreneurs and beneficiaries of the ABH prize.

Infographic

Inquiries