Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition, the flagship philanthropic initiative of Alibaba Philanthropy, has announced its Top 10 Finalists for 2025 following the highly competitive Semi-Finals held in Dakar, Senegal, on 10–11 September 2025.
Selected from nearly 32,000 applications spanning the continent, the Top 20 Semi-Finalists advanced through multiple stages of assessment, including Top 50 Round 2 interviews, thorough due diligence, and live pitch sessions before an esteemed judging panel in Dakar, according to Business Ghana.
From this intensive process, the Top 10 Finalists emerged, representing some of Africa’s most innovative and resilient entrepreneurs, each embodying the spirit of ingenuity and impact that ABH aims to spotlight.
Zahra Baitie-Boateng, Africa Managing Director of ABH, described the achievement as a testament to the strength of African entrepreneurship.
“Our Top 10 Finalists embody the best of African entrepreneurship, visionary leaders building bold, scalable businesses that create meaningful social and environmental impact.
Their journeys showcase the ingenuity, grit, and diversity of Africa’s entrepreneurial talent, from healthtech and agritech to fintech, education, and sustainability.
We are thrilled to see them advance to Kigali for the Grand Finale, where they will not only compete for funding but also inspire millions across the continent with their stories of resilience and innovation,” she said.
This year’s Semi-Finals marked an important milestone, as ABH was hosted for the first time in a francophone country and for the first time in Senegal.
The choice of Dakar underscored Senegal’s growing reputation as a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation, bolstered by an 8.6% GDP growth rate and the nation’s upcoming role as host of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the first to be held on African soil.
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The finalists who will proceed to the 7th ABH Grand Finale in Kigali, Rwanda, on 12–13 December 2025, are
— Wyclife Onyango — BuuPass (Kenya) — Transport / Digital Ticketing
— Siny Samba — Le Lionceau (Senegal) — FoodTech / Infant Nutrition
— Mukasahaha Diane — DIKAM Ltd (Rwanda) — Textiles / Women & Youth Empowerment
— Baraka Chijenga — Kilimo Fresh Foods Africa Limited (Tanzania) — AgriTech / Food Security
— Janet Kuteli — Fortune Credit Limited (Kenya) — FinTech / Microfinance
— Diana Orembe — NovFeed (Tanzania) — AgriTech / Biotech
— Abraham Mbuthia — Uzapoint Technologies Limited (Kenya) — SME Tech / Digital Tools
— Gohar Said — Suplyd (Egypt) — FoodTech / Supply Chain
— Adriaan Kruger — nuvoteQ (South Africa) — HealthTech / Digital Solutions
— Jean Lobe Lobe — Waspito (Cameroon) — HealthTech / Telemedicine
At the Grand Finale, these entrepreneurs will compete for their share of US$1.5 million in grant funding.
The Grand Prize winner will be awarded US$300,000, while each of the other finalists will receive no less than US$100,000, alongside mentorship, global networking opportunities, and platforms to amplify their stories.
The Semi-Finals judging panel included Hasan Haidar, Managing Director of PlusVC; Moulaye Taboure, CEO and Founder of ANKA and a former ABH Top 10 Hero; and Jason Pau, Vice President of Alibaba Group and Executive Director of the Jack Ma Foundation.
They evaluated candidates on innovation, impact, scalability, and leadership before narrowing the field from 20 to 10.
Reflecting on the process, Moulaye Taboure said, “As a former ABH Top 10 Hero, I know the transformative power of this platform. Returning as a judge is a true honor, and I am thrilled to congratulate this year’s Top 10 finalists. Their innovation, resilience, and impact are inspiring, and I look forward to welcoming them into the ABH community and supporting them as they scale their businesses and shape Africa’s entrepreneurial future.”
The event was made possible through the support of Alibaba Philanthropy and Senegalese sponsors Wave, Sonatel, and InTouch Group, as well as outreach partners such as Haske Ventures, Impact Hub Dakar, SenStartup, Seedstars, and the African Leadership University (ALU).
Now in its seventh edition, the ABH Prize Competition continues to celebrate and empower Africa’s most promising entrepreneurs, amplifying their contributions and fostering impact across the continent.
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Image Credit: Business Times Uganda
