Africa’s Business Heroes Competition // Apply by 6th June 2022
The Jack Ma Foundation’s Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Competition is #lookingforHeroes like you! Stand your chance to win a share of $1.5 million, plus entrepreneurship training and global publicity!
This yearly competition identifies Africa’s Business Heroes is live and we’re accepting applications till June 21st, 2022. Read below to learn about the key benefits, our eligibility criteria, and the application process!
Overview
ABH aims to identify, support, and inspire the next generation of African entrepreneurs who are making a difference in their local communities, working to solve the most pressing problems, and building a more sustainable and inclusive economy for the future.
Africa’s Business Heroes directly supports talented and promising African entrepreneurs through its namesake Prize competition.
Each year the Prize selects ten “business heroes” from across Africa that compete for their share of USD 1.5 million in grant funding.
During the competition, participants have also exclusive access to training, mentoring and learning programmes, as well as to a community of like-minded African business leaders.
The initiative aims to be as inclusive as possible. Applications are open in English and French to entrepreneurs from all African countries, all sectors, and all ages who operate businesses formally registered and headquartered in an African country, and that have a 3-year track record.
Every year, ten finalists will be selected to compete in the ABH grand finale pitch competition and participate in a TV Show that will be broadcast online and across the continent.
The finalists compete for a share of US $1.5 million in grant money.
About Jack Ma Foundation’s Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH)
Jack Ma Foundation’s Africa’s Business Heroes Competition (ABH) journey began when Jack Ma first visited Africa in 2017 in his capacity as special adviser to UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi.
During his trip, he was inspired by the entrepreneurial energy and potential he saw in the young people he met. He also recognized many of the same barriers to economic development and entrepreneurship in Africa that existed in China when he founded Alibaba in 1999.
During his visit, Jack committed to do his part to inspire, train and support entrepreneurs in Africa to build inclusive business models that can create jobs and economic opportunities for the continent.
As part of this commitment, in 2018, Jack announced the establishment of the Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative (ANPI) with an initial $10 million grant to identify, spotlight and award grant-funding to 100 Africa’s Business Heroes across Africa over the next 10 years.
Further inspired by the Business Heroes, their impact & potential, Jack increased the total prize pool to $100 million. The funds have been allocated over a ten-year period towards grant funding, training programs, and support for the broad African entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Thanks to the increased Prize pool, the yearly award increased from $1 million to $1.5 million.
