The Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition, a flagship initiative of Alibaba Philanthropy, has unveiled the Top 10 Finalists for its 2025 edition. The announcement followed the semi-final round held in Dakar, Senegal, on September 10–11, where entrepreneurs from across the continent presented their ventures to a distinguished panel of judges. This year’s cohort was selected from a record 32,000 applications, underlining the program’s growing reputation as a leading platform for African entrepreneurship.
Competitive Selection Process
The journey to the Top 10 was marked by rigorous evaluation at every stage. From the Top 50 round two interviews to detailed due diligence and live pitches in Dakar, entrepreneurs were tested on innovation, scalability, impact, and leadership. Twenty semi-finalists competed in Senegal, with ten advancing to the Grand Finale in Kigali, Rwanda, this December.
Regional Milestone for Senegal
Hosting the semi-finals in Dakar marked two significant milestones for the competition. It was the first time ABH held its semi-final round in a francophone country and the first time in Senegal, highlighting the nation’s rising role as a hub for innovation. With Senegal’s GDP growing at 8.6 percent and the country set to host the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the event underscored the country’s increasing visibility on the global entrepreneurial stage.
Spotlight on the Finalists
The Top 10 finalists reflect the breadth of Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape, spanning fintech, agritech, foodtech, healthtech, and sustainability. Among them are Wyclife Onyango of BuuPass in Kenya, Siny Samba of Le Lionceau in Senegal, and Mukasahaha Diane of Rwanda’s DIKAM Ltd. Other finalists include Baraka Chijenga of Kilimo Fresh Foods Africa (Tanzania), Janet Kuteli of Fortune Credit Limited (Kenya), and Diana Orembe of NovFeed (Tanzania). The group is rounded out by Abraham Mbuthia of Uzapoint Technologies (Kenya), Gohar Said of Suplyd (Egypt), Adriaan Kruger of nuvoteQ (South Africa), and Jean Lobe Lobe of Waspito (Cameroon).
Quotes from ABH Leadership and Judges
Zahra Baitie-Boateng, Africa Managing Director of ABH, praised the finalists as visionary leaders driving impact across diverse sectors. She emphasized their ability to inspire and scale solutions that address pressing social and environmental challenges. Judges echoed this sentiment, with Moulaye Taboure, CEO and Founder of ANKA and a former ABH Top 10 Hero, highlighting the transformative role of the competition in shaping Africa’s entrepreneurial future.
The Road to Kigali
The finalists will now prepare for the seventh ABH Grand Finale, scheduled for December 12–13 in Kigali, Rwanda. They will compete for a share of US$1.5 million in grant funding, with the grand prize winner receiving US$300,000 and each finalist guaranteed at least US$100,000. Beyond funding, participants will gain access to mentorship, global networks, and storytelling platforms designed to accelerate their growth.
Partnerships and Support
The Dakar semi-finals were made possible through the support of Alibaba Philanthropy and Senegalese sponsors, including Wave, Sonatel, and InTouch Group. Outreach partners such as Haske Ventures, Impact Hub Dakar, SenStartup, Seedstars, and African Leadership University also contributed to the event’s success. Their involvement reflects the collaborative ecosystem ABH seeks to foster around African entrepreneurship.
Now in its seventh edition, Africa’s Business Heroes continues to celebrate and empower the continent’s most promising entrepreneurs. The competition not only provides critical funding but also elevates the visibility of innovators whose work is shaping Africa’s future. With the Grand Finale in Kigali on the horizon, the spotlight is firmly on the ten finalists as they prepare to showcase their solutions to a continental and global audience.