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

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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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As global power structures shift, Invest Africa convenes The Africa Debate 2026 to redefine partnership in a changing world

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February 6, 2026

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The Africa Debate 2026 will provide a platform for this essential, era-defining discussion, convening leaders to explore how Africa and its partners can build more balanced, resilient and sustainable models of cooperation

LONDON, United Kingdom, February 5, 2026/APO Group/ –As African economies assert greater agency in a rapidly evolving global order, Invest Africa (www.InvestAfrica.com) is delighted to announce The Africa Debate 2026, its flagship investment forum, taking place at the historic Guildhall in London on 3 June 2026.

Now in its 12th year, The Africa Debate has established itself as London’s premier platform for African investment dialogue since launching in 2014, convening over 800 global decision-makers annually to shape the future of trade, finance, investment, and development across the continent.

Under the theme “Redefining Partnership: Navigating a World in Transition”, this year’s forum will focus on Africa’s response to global economic realignment with greater agency, ambition and economic sovereignty.

The Africa Debate puts Africa’s priorities at the centre of the conversation, moving beyond traditional narratives to focus on ownership, resilience and long-term value creation.

“Volatility is not new to Africa. What is changing is the opportunity to respond with greater agency and ambition,” says Invest Africa CEO Chantelé Carrington.

“This year’s edition of The Africa Debate asks how we strengthen economic sovereignty — from access to capital and investment to financial and industrial policy — so African economies can take greater ownership of their growth. Success will be defined by how effectively we turn disruption into leverage and partnership into shared value.”

The Africa Debate 2026 will provide a platform for this essential, era-defining discussion, convening leaders to explore how Africa and its partners can build more balanced, resilient and sustainable models of cooperation.

Key challenges driving the debate

Core focus areas for this year’s edition of The Africa Debate include:

This year’s edition of The Africa Debate asks how we strengthen economic sovereignty — from access to capital and investment to financial and industrial policy

Global Realignment & New Partnerships

How shifting geopolitical and economic power structures are reshaping Africa’s global partnerships, trade dynamics and investment landscape.

Financing Africa’s Future

The growing need to reform the global financial architecture, new approaches to development finance, as well as the strengthening of market access and financial resilience of African economies in a changing global system.

Strategic Value Chains

Moving beyond primary exports to build local value chains in critical minerals for the green economy. Also addressing Africa’s energy access gap and mobilising investment in renewable and transitional energy systems.

Digital Transformation & Technology

Unlocking growth in fintech, AI and digital infrastructure to drive productivity, inclusion, and the next phase of Africa’s economic transformation.

The Africa Debate 2026 offers a unique platform for high-level dialogue, deal-making, and strategic engagement. Attendees will gain actionable insights from leading policymakers, investors and business leaders shaping Africa’s economic future, while building strategic partnerships that define the continent’s next growth phase.

Registration is now open (http://apo-opa.co/46b19gj).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Invest Africa.

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Zion Adeoye terminated as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CLG due to serious personal and professional conduct violations

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February 6, 2026

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After a thorough internal and external investigation, along with a disciplinary hearing chaired by Sbongiseni Dube, CLG (https://CLGglobal.com) has made the decision to terminate Zion Adeoye due to serious personal and professional conduct violations. This process adhered to the Code of Good Practice of the Labour Relations Act, ensuring fairness, transparency, and compliance with South African law.

Mr. Adeoye has been held accountable for several serious offenses, including:

  • Making malicious and defamatory statements against colleagues
  • Extortion
  • Intimidation
  • Fraud
  • Misuse of company funds
  • Theft and misappropriation of funds
  • Breach of fiduciary duty
  • Mismanagement

His actions are in direct contradiction to our firm’s core values. We do not approve of attorneys spending time in a Gentleman’s Club. CLG deeply regrets the impact this situation has had on our colleagues and continues to provide full support to those affected.

We want to express our gratitude to those who spoke up and to reassure everyone at the firm of our unwavering commitment to maintaining a respectful workplace. Misconduct of any kind is unacceptable and will be addressed decisively.

We recognize the seriousness of this matter and have referred it to the appropriate law enforcement, regulatory, and legal authorities in Nigeria, Mauritius, and South Africa. We kindly ask that the privacy of the third party involved be respected.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of CLG.

 

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The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) Strengthens Partnership with the Republic of Djibouti through US$35 Million Financing Facility

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February 6, 2026

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This facility forms part of the US$600 million, three-year Framework Agreement signed in May 2023 between ITFC and the Republic of Djibouti, reflecting the strong and growing partnership between both parties

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, February 5, 2026/APO Group/ –The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (https://www.ITFC-IDB.org), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, has signed a US$35 million sovereign financing facility with the Republic of Djibouti to support the development of the country’s bunkering services sector and strengthen its position as a strategic regional maritime and trade hub.

The facility was signed at the ITFC Headquarters in Jeddah by Eng. Adeeb Yousuf Al-Aama, Chief Executive Officer of ITFC, and H.E. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of Industry of the Republic of Djibouti.

The financing facility is expected to contribute to Djibouti’s economic growth and revenue diversification by reinforcing the competitiveness and attractiveness of the Djibouti Port as a “one-stop port” offering comprehensive vessel-related services. With Red Sea Bunkering (RSB) as the Executing Agency, the facility will support the procurement of refined petroleum products, thus boosting RSB’s bunkering operations, enhancing revenue diversification, and consolidating Djibouti’s role as a key logistics and trading hub in the Horn of Africa and the wider region.

We look forward to deepening this partnership, creating new opportunities, and leveraging collaborative programs to advance key sectors and drive sustainable economic growth

Commenting on the signing, Eng. Adeeb Yousuf Al-Aama, CEO of ITFC, stated:

“This financing reflects ITFC’s continued commitment to supporting Djibouti’s strategic development priorities, particularly in strengthening energy security, port competitiveness, and trade facilitation. We are proud to deepen our partnership with the Republic of Djibouti and contribute to sustainable economic growth and regional integration.”

H.E. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of Industry of the Republic of Djibouti, commented: “Today’s signing marks an important milestone in the development of Djibouti’s bunkering services and reflects our strong and valued partnership with ITFC, particularly in the oil and gas sector. This collaboration supports our ambition to position Djibouti as a regional hub for integrated maritime and logistics services. We look forward to deepening this partnership, creating new opportunities, and leveraging collaborative programs to advance key sectors and drive sustainable economic growth.”

This facility forms part of the US$600 million, three-year Framework Agreement signed in May 2023 between ITFC and the Republic of Djibouti, reflecting the strong and growing partnership between both parties.

Since its inception in 2008, ITFC and the Republic of Djibouti have maintained a strong partnership, with a total of US$1.8 billion approved primarily supporting the country’s energy sector and trade development objectives.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

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