03 Apr 2023

Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) invites applications for this year’s awards in a quest to identify, support and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs in Africa.

 

The Jack Ma Foundation flagship charitable entrepreneurs support programme is open for entrepreneurs from the African continent to compete for a share of US$1.5 million grant.

 

The closing date for submissions is May 12 and the finale, scheduled towards the end of the year, will see 10 finalists presenting their companies to a panel of business people to select the winners.

 

Last year, Botswana’s two entrants Ms Melissa Tafila and Mr Tendekayi Katsiga made it to the top 50, having been selected from a pool of 21 000 applications from across 54 African countries who applied for the grant. 

 

The Bulb World founder and chief executive officer, Mr Ketshephaone Jacob was among the top 10 finalists in 2021.

 

According to the ABH website, the programme aims at growing African entrepreneurs who are making a positive impact in their communities as well as inspiring a movement of African entrepreneurship.

 

The programme provides African entrepreneurs with grant funding, training programmes and broader support for the broad African entrepreneurial ecosystem.

 

For the 2022 edition, the ultimate winner pocketed $300 000 (about P3.4 million), the first runner up received $250 000 (about P2.8 million) while the second runner up got $150 000 (about P1.7 million), in addition to learning opportunities and other support programmes. Ends