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Africa’s Business Heroes Announces 2024 Top 10 Finalists Following First Event in North Africa

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2 years ago

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Africa’s Business Heroes

The 2024 Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Top 10 entrepreneurs were identified through a rigorous process involving multiple rounds of interviews and assessments

CAIRO, Egypt, September 30, 2024/APO Group/ — 

The Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) (www.AfricaBusinessHeroes.org) Prize Competition, Africa’s leading philanthropic initiative supported by the Jack Ma Foundation (http://apo-opa.co/3Y3GTt8) and Alibaba Philanthropy, is proud to announce the Top 10 finalists for the 2024 ABH Prize.

These exceptional entrepreneurs were chosen after an intense round of Semi-Final business pitches and judging held on September 27-28 at Kamelizer Spaces (http://apo-opa.co/3TNPjCz), with community events until September 29, all in the historic city of Cairo, Egypt. This marks ABH’s first event in North Africa, highlighting Egypt’s growing role as a key hub of entrepreneurial innovation in Africa.

The Top 10 finalists are (in alphabetical order, by country): 

  1. Tisya Mukuna, Founder & CEO, La Kinoise (La boite) – Democratic Republic of the Congo | www.La-Kinoise.com
  2. Hadeel Fayek, Founder & CEO, Joviality – Egypt | www.Intl.Joviality-eg.com
  3. Mina Shahid, Co-founder & CEO, Numida – Egypt | www.Numida.com 
  4. Dr. Rasha Rady, Co-founder & COO, Chefaa – Egypt | www.Chefaa.health
  5. Clement Owusu-Donkor, Founder & CEO, Aquantuo – Ghana | www.Aquantuo.com
  6. Alexander Odhiambo, Founder & CEO, Solutech Limited – Kenya | www.Solutech.co.ke
  7. Dr. Salma Bougarrani, Co-Founder & CEO, GREEN WATECH – Morocco | www.GreenWatech.com
  8. Mobolaji Ajayi, Founder & CEO, Purelife Pharmacy – Nigeria | www.PurelifePharmacy.ng
  9. Henri Ousmane Gueye, Co-founder & CEO, EYONE – Senegal | www.Eyone.net
  10. Maxima Nsimenta, Co-founder & CEO, LIVARA – Uganda | www.myLivara.com

The 2024 ABH Top 10 entrepreneurs were identified through a rigorous process involving multiple rounds of interviews and assessments. Starting from around 20,000 applications from all 54 African countries, the pool was narrowed to the Top 50 finalists. Following another selection round involving video call interviews with expert judges, ABH identified the Top 20 finalists who attended the Semi-Final in Cairo. At these Semi-Finals, the Top 10 finalists to receive their share of the $1.5 million USD grant were selected. These finalists represent eight nations: three from Egypt, the host country of the 2024 ABH Semi-Final, as well as entrepreneurs from Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is represented for the first time this year.

Their ventures span a diverse range of industries, including Agriculture, Education and Training, Financial Services, Health care, ICT, Logistics, Manufacturing and Retail. All the Top 10 finalists have been vetted through a due diligence process led by PlusVC (http://apo-opa.co/3XP16BA) and were selected after pitching their ventures to a panel of judges in front of a live audience.

We continue to see inspiring examples of innovation and resilience among the ABH finalists, and this year’s cohort is no different

Hosting the Semi-Final event in Cairo highlighted the city’s longstanding legacy in commerce, trade, and entrepreneurship. Known for its rich history, Egypt plays a critical role in promoting entrepreneurship and supporting the next generation of African business leaders.

“We chose Cairo as the location for this important stage of the competition because of its vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem and its strategic position in the African market,” said Zahra Baitie-Boateng, Managing Director, Africa at Africa’s Business Heroes.

“The remarkable growth of Egypt’s entrepreneurial community is evident from our experience over the past six years at ABH. We have seen 34 Egyptian entrepreneurs progress through various stages of the competition, from the Top 50 to the Top 10, including two third prize winners, one second prize winner and one grand prize winner. These achievements, among others, underscore Egypt’s influence within the continent’s broader entrepreneurial landscape, and we are proud to showcase its significance,” she added.

The Semi-Final event featured an esteemed panel of judges, including Hasan Haider (http://apo-opa.co/3Y56zW8) Founder and Managing Partner at PlusVC (http://apo-opa.co/3XP16BA), Fatoumata Doro (http://apo-opa.co/3Y0Bjb0), Former Managing Director at Vlisco and Board Member at Ecobank, Dina el-Shenoufy (http://apo-opa.co/3zBJzow), Chief Investment Officer at Flat6Labs, and Simbarashe Mhungu (http://apo-opa.co/3XSP1eW), an Executive Director in Agriculture and Infrastructure Finance. The event, which attracted participants from across the continent also featured community-focused events. These included a networking cruise on the Nile, sponsored and co-hosted with The FutureList (http://apo-opa.co/4enP8pM), and a training session on building a future-proof business, led by industry experts with additional training from Alibaba Cloud. Other sponsors included Kamelizer Spaces (http://apo-opa.co/3TNPjCz), while partners such as Career180 (http://apo-opa.co/4eqs3Ti), Helm (http://apo-opa.co/3XKvNrF), Satguru (http://apo-opa.co/4eqs5KU), ALX Ventures (http://apo-opa.co/3Y1BeUt) and RiseUp Summit (http://apo-opa.co/3Y2mYL9) were also involved – highlighting the collaboration of key players from Egypt’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and beyond, all working together to support African entrepreneurs.

In a statement shared following the unveiling of the Top 10 at the Gala Dinner concluding the Semi-Final, Baitie-Boateng further noted, “We continue to see inspiring examples of innovation and resilience among the ABH finalists, and this year’s cohort is no different. These entrepreneurs have overcome significant challenges and are building businesses that contribute to their local economies and beyond.”

The Grand Finale and Summit in Kigali, Rwanda

The finalists will now compete for a share of the US$1.5 million prize at the Grand Finale, which is set to take place from December 3-5, 2024, in Kigali, Rwanda.

The event, which will also be partially live-streamed, will bring together leading investors, business leaders, and innovators from across Africa. It will feature a variety of activities, including keynote speeches, workshops, an entrepreneurial showcase, and a live pitch competition, among other exciting sessions.

ABH has indicated that the 2024 Grand Finale will stay true to the initiative’s core values since its launch in 2019. Emphasizing its pan-African commitment, the event will spotlight inclusivity, sector-diversity, and grassroots innovation. This high-profile gathering will highlight entrepreneurs who are   addressing some of the continent’s most pressing challenges while driving sustainable economic growth across Africa.

Join the ABH Journey

The ABH community invites stakeholders, investors, and partners to stay engaged as the competition progresses. Registration for the Grand Finale and Summit in Kigali is now open. Visit www.AfricaBusinessHeroes.org to learn more and be part of the journey towards identifying Africa’s Business Heroes.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH).

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Canada–Africa Financing Forum to Convene Investors and Decision-Makers in Cape Town – May 14, 2026

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11 hours ago

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April 29, 2026

By

Ateau Zola

This timely Forum comes on the heels of commitments announced by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, deepening Canada–Africa commercial ties and expanding investment partnerships

TORONTO, Canada, April 29, 2026/APO Group/ –The Canada–Africa Chamber of Business (https://CanadaAfrica.ca) will convene investors, financiers, policymakers, and industry leaders in Cape Town on May 14, 2026 for the Canada–Africa Financing Forum—a high-level platform focused on unlocking capital and accelerating deal flow across African markets.

Registration is open (http://apo-opa.co/4vZN6oV)

This timely Forum comes on the heels of commitments announced by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, deepening Canada–Africa commercial ties and expanding investment partnerships. The program connects leaders from venture capital, private equity, and institutional investors to examine where capital is moving—and where the next opportunities lie—supported by Canadian project partners with proven capacity to deliver on-the-ground.

Delegates will engage directly with finance and investment decision-makers, following the program opening, featuring messages from President Cyril Ramaphosa and Prime Minister Mark Carney, in addition to high-level Ministerial representation.

This Forum is about capital deployment, not just conversation

“This Forum is about capital deployment, not just conversation,” said Garreth Bloor, President of the Canada–Africa Chamber of Business. “We are convening investors, institutions, and project leaders who are actively shaping transactions across Africa—and connecting them directly with Canadian partners who are ready to work together.”

The Canada–Africa Financing Forum reflects the Chamber’s role as a privately financed, market-led platform advancing Canada-Africa trade and investment through world-class networking and information-sharing events.

Why Attend

  • Direct access to active dealmakers and capital allocators
  • Insights into where capital is being deployed and key players delivering major projects
  • Opportunities to build partnerships across Canada and African markets
  • Participation in a curated, high-level environment focused on execution

Secure Your Place

Space is limited and demand is strong.

Apply to secure your place (http://apo-opa.co/4vXb9oz)

Read More and View the Program (http://apo-opa.co/4vZN6oV)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business.

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ORUN and 1xBET Partner to Support a Dynamic Creative Africa

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18 hours ago

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April 29, 2026

By

MIR Holding

During the MASA 2026 edition, held from April 11 to 18, 2026, ORUN and 1xBET implemented the We Champion Talent program, an initiative aimed at promoting African talent and advancing the development of Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs)

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, April 28, 2026/APO Group/ –As part of the Innovation Village co-organized with MASA at the Palais de la Culture in Abidjan from April 14 to 18, ORUN (https://ORUN.Africa) announces the rollout of its partnership with 1xBET to support a creative Africa that is structuring itself, professionalizing, and scaling across the continent.

We aim to demonstrate that it is possible to support African talent, narratives, and creative ecosystems over the long term, with ambition and consistency

Designed as a space of convergence between heritage, innovation, and knowledge transmission, the Innovation Village features scenography crafted by Ivorian artisans, a program of panels and masterclasses on creative industries, an immersive experience produced by Orun Studios, and a major institutional highlight on April 17. Its narrative platform is built around three pillars: memory, structure, and transmission. The initiative aims to position cultural and creative industries as an economic driver for the continent.

“The Innovation Village was conceived as an act of construction. By partnering with organizations such as 1xBET, we aim to demonstrate that it is possible to support African talent, narratives, and creative ecosystems over the long term, with ambition and consistency,” said Habyba Thiero, CEO of Africa Currency Network and President of ORUN.

This vision aligns with ORUN’s broader ambition to produce, structure, and internationalize African creative industries through events, content, and strategic partnerships.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of ORUN, part of African Currency Network (ACN).

 

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MIR Holding Reaffirms Its Commitment to African Creative Industries Alongside ORUN at Marché des Arts du Spectacle Africain d’Abidjan (MASA) 2026

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18 hours ago

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April 29, 2026

By

MIR Holding

More than event support, this partnership reflects a commitment to backing platforms capable of structuring value chains, increasing the visibility of talent, and fostering the emergence of strong African creative infrastructures

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, April 28, 2026/APO Group/ –On the occasion of MASA 2026, held from April 11 to 18 in Abidjan, MIR Holding (https://MIRHolding.odoo.com) reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the growth of African creative industries by partnering with ORUN as part of the Innovation Village, hosted at the Palais de la Culture in Abidjan. This presence reflects a clear intention to support the scaling of cultural and creative industries so they can fully contribute to job creation and value generation across the continent.

 

Co-organized by ORUN and MASA, the Innovation Village brought together over several days scenography designed by Ivorian artisans, a program of panels and masterclasses dedicated to creative industries, an immersive experience produced by Orun Studios, and a key institutional highlight on April 17.

At MIR Holding, we believe that Africa’s future will also be shaped by its ability to structure its narratives, its talent, and its creative value chains

Built around three pillars — memory, structure, and transmission — the initiative carried a renewed ambition for culture: positioning it as a concrete lever for economic structuring and African projection.

By supporting this initiative, MIR Holding aligns with a broader dynamic aimed at strengthening connections between creation, entrepreneurship, content, youth, and growth ecosystems. More than event support, this partnership reflects a commitment to backing platforms capable of structuring value chains, increasing the visibility of talent, and fostering the emergence of strong African creative infrastructures. MIR Holding stands among the main partners of the Village, alongside Africa Currency Network and other stakeholders engaged in this vision.

“With ORUN, we are not only seeking to make culture visible. We aim to help provide it with a framework, a reach, and a trajectory. What is at stake here is the continent’s ability to better transform its creative energy into sustainable value, real opportunities, and influence,” said Habyba Thiero, CEO of Africa Currency Network and President of ORUN.

Mouhamed Dieng, President of MIR Holding, added: “Supporting Africa’s creative industries is not about backing a secondary sector. It is about investing in one of the continent’s most powerful spaces for storytelling, youth, innovation, and competitiveness. At MIR Holding, we believe that Africa’s future will also be shaped by its ability to structure its narratives, its talent, and its creative value chains.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of MIR Holding.

 

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