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Africa’s Business Heroes Announces Top 20 Entrepreneurs Advancing to 2026 Semi-Final in Nairobi

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Africa

The Top 20 were selected from an expanded Top 100 cohort drawn from more than 24,000 applications across all 54 African countries

NAIROBI, Kenya, August 14, 2026/APO Group/ —

  • 20 Entrepreneurs selected from an expanded Top 100 cohort
  • Semi-Finalists will pitch before business, investment and entrepreneurial leaders
  • ABH returns to the city that hosted its inaugural Semi-Final

The Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) (https://AfricaBusinessHeroes.org) Prize Competition, a philanthropic initiative of Alibaba Philanthropy, today announced the 20 entrepreneurs who will advance to its 2026 Semi-Final, taking place in Nairobi, Kenya, on 21–22 August.

The Top 20 were selected from an expanded Top 100 cohort drawn from more than 24,000 applications across all 54 African countries. Candidates advanced through three-person judging-panel interviews that assessed leadership, innovation, impact, scalability and commercial strength. The process was reinforced by on-the-ground visits to every company advancing to the Semi-Final and comprehensive due diligence conducted by PlusVC, allowing ABH to test the written applications against the businesses, teams and communities behind them. The selected 20 entrepreneurs will now compete for 10 places in the ABH semi-final.

Together, the ABH 2026 Top 20 cohort represents 12 African countries and 11 sectors, with 8 women entrepreneurs accounting for 40% of the cohort. Collectively, their businesses generated approximately US$85 million in 2025 and span diverse sectors including agriculture and agritech, healthcare, manufacturing, climate technology, financial services, education, energy, and technology.

Site visits reveal the people and purpose behind the businesses

Site visits are central to ABH’s approach because they reveal what even a strong application or pitch can miss: whether a founder has earned trust, whether a team can execute under pressure, and whether demand is real. That context matters in African markets, where sophisticated businesses are often underestimated because their strengths are not always visible through conventional investment filters. By combining interviews and due diligence with on-the-ground observation, ABH does more than identify compelling storytellers; it surfaces entrepreneurs with the operational depth, community legitimacy and resilience to build lasting enterprises. The platform then helps close the gap between proven local capability and the capital, networks and visibility required to scale it.

Building global connections through Hangzhou, China

The second edition of ABH’s Hangzhou learning and market-access trip will take place in China from 14–18 September, extending the program’s support well beyond the competition stage. Approximately 40 participants from more than 10 African countries are expected to join, including primarily 2024 and 2025 Top 10 Heroes, alongside other alumni, selected entrepreneurs, judges and participants from the Alibaba Digital Lion program. The trip reflects a central part of ABH’s value: giving entrepreneurs the opportunity to step outside their immediate operating environments, learn from a leading technology and commerce ecosystem, exchange ideas with peers and return home with new inspiration, practical knowledge and a broader sense of what their businesses can become.

A return to Nairobi

The 2026 Semi-Final marks ABH’s return to Nairobi, the city that hosted the program’s very first Semi-Final. The return carries both symbolic and practical significance. Nairobi has developed into one of Africa’s most dynamic centers for technology, entrepreneurship and investment, bringing together ambitious founders, established businesses, universities, innovation hubs, development institutions and a growing community of local and international investors.

This year’s event will welcome a larger investor audience, giving participating entrepreneurs more opportunities to engage directly with funders and strategic partners from across Africa and beyond. Their presence reflects a broader ambition for the Semi-Final: to serve not only as a competition, but also as a marketplace for ideas, relationships and capital through which investable African businesses can be discovered, understood and supported.

Join Africa’s leading entrepreneurs, investors and ecosystem builders in Nairobi for two days of live pitches, insights and connection. Register to attend the 2026 ABH Semi-Final (https://apo-opa.co/4gu8hJY).

Experienced judges bring investor, operator and alumni perspectives

The Top 20 will present before a distinguished judging panel:

  • Kome Oruade-Etim, Global Program Manager for Acumen Angels and former West Africa Lead for Acumen Academy, brings extensive experience supporting purpose-driven leaders and early-stage enterprises addressing complex social challenges.
  • Wandia Gichuru, Co-founder and CEO of Vivo Fashion Group, brings the perspective of an entrepreneur who has built and scaled one of East Africa’s most recognizable fashion businesses.
  • Thomas Njeru, Co-founder and CEO of Pula Advisors and a 2023 ABH Top Three finalist, returns as a judge. Having stood on the ABH stage as a finalist, he understands the entrepreneurial journey, the pressure of the competition, and the qualities required to translate a compelling vision into a scalable enterprise.
  • Jason Pau, Executive Director (International) at the Jack Ma Foundation, who co-founded and has actively led the ABH program for the last 7 years.

Meet the 2026 Top 20 Heroes

  1. Farah Emara — FreshSource (Egypt) — AgriTech
  2. Nour El-Assal — Tagaddod (Egypt) — Renewable Energy
  3. Salma Tammam — REME-D (Egypt) — Healthcare
  4. Ahmed Shaaban — Simplex (Egypt) — Manufacturing
  5. Affiong Williams — Reelfruit (Nigeria) — Manufacturing
  6. Kelvin Umechukwu — Bumpa) (Nigeria) — Enterprise / SaaS
  7. Ikechukwu Anoke — Zuri Health Ltd (Kenya) — HealthTech
  8. Naom Monari — Bena Care Limited (Kenya) — HealthTech
  9. Joseph Mungai — AceleAfrica Limited (Kenya) — Energy
  10. Louisa Gathecha — Bottle Logistics East Africa Ltd (Kenya) — Industrial (ClimateTech)
  11. Meriem Benabad — Z.6 or Z.SYS INC (Morocco) — Retail (FMCG) – Marketplace
  12. Nidal Tafah — MIRRIAH (Morocco) — AgriTech
  13. Samson Fentaye — Thur Biotech Manufacturing Plc (Ethiopia) — Agritech
  14. Jess Roussos — BluLever Education Pty Ltd (South Africa) — EdTech
  15. David Kamugundu — eFiche Ltd (Rwanda) — HealthTech
  16. Joseph Paul — Dawa Mkononi (Tanzania) — HealthTech
  17. Gildas Zodome — Bio Phyto (Benin) — Agritech
  18. Appessika Adanin Laurent Koffi — Green Agro Valley (Côte d’Ivoire) — Agritech
  19. Hagasata Rakotoson — Solidis S.A (Madagascar) — FinTech
  20. Rodney Kofi Kyei — Crux Global Limited (Ghana) — Media and Entertainment

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

 

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Carbon, water and grid investment move to the centre of Africa’s business resilience agenda

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7 hours ago

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September 24, 2026

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A new series of VUKA Group webinars will bring industry experts together to examine these challenges and the practical decisions organisations need to make

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, September 24, 2026/APO Group/ –Commercial and industrial businesses, utilities and investors across Africa are being forced to confront three increasingly connected challenges: credible decarbonisation, water security and the infrastructure required to support reliable power systems.

A new series of VUKA Group webinars will bring industry experts together to examine these challenges and the practical decisions organisations need to make.

 




 
Commercial and industrial compliance in the spotlight

On 29 September 2026 at 13:00 SAST, Carbon, compliance and credible energy claims: What C&I customers must get right will explore how commercial and industrial energy users can align renewable energy procurement with carbon accounting standards and evolving reporting obligations.

The discussion will examine the evidence required to substantiate renewable electricity claims, the role of Renewable Energy Certificates in Scope 2 reporting, the implications of mechanisms such as the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and how organisations can reduce greenwashing risk while strengthening emissions reporting.

Speakers include Sanelisiwe Mdlalose, Hulamin; Hendrick Raedani, City of Ekurhuleni; and Duane Newman, EY.

Register for the carbon compliance webinar: https://apo-opa.co/4AtqRKf

These issues will continue at the C&I Energy + Storage Summit Johannesburg, 28–29 October 2026 at The Maslow Hotel, Sandton, where energy procurement, carbon taxes, renewable integration, storage, market reform and industrial resilience form part of the programme.

Find out more about the Summit: https://apo-opa.co/4xMkZsR

Strategy for African water resilience

Water resilience takes centre stage on 30 September 2026 at 14:00 SAST with From water risk to water resilience: How South Africa’s water-intensive industries are securing their future.

The webinar will examine how businesses are responding to ageing infrastructure, supply uncertainty, rising costs and sustainability pressures by improving efficiency, diversifying water sources and investing in reuse, recycling and smarter water management.

The webinar line-up includes Benoit Le Roy, South African Water Chamber NPC; Nsuku Chankira, Thungela; Molatelo Motau, Heineken Beverages; Marilyn Maduka, Credew Limited; and Philindile Mahlangu from Magalies Water as moderator.

Register for the water resilience webinar: https://apo-opa.co/4z0aJyx

The conversation continues at Water Security Africa Johannesburg, co-located with the C&I Energy + Storage Summit, where industrial water independence, infrastructure finance, digital water systems, reuse and business continuity will be explored across two days.

Read more here: https://apo-opa.co/4yfjlBj

Towards Africa’s scalable energy transition

Looking to the infrastructure enabling Africa’s energy transition, Scaling transmission infrastructure: Innovative financing models for emerging markets takes place on 14 October 2026 at 14:00 SAST, moderated by Tshegofatso Neeuwfan, Global Energy Alliance.

Using the Mozambique Temane Transmission Project and insights from Belgian transmission system operator Elia, the webinar will explore bankable project structures, risk allocation and investor engagement that can help move major transmission projects from planning to delivery.

Register for the transmission infrastructure webinar: https://apo-opa.co/4ycMnkS

Transmission investment, project delivery and financing will remain central to Enlit Africa, 11–13 May 2027 at the CTICC in Cape Town, bringing Africa’s power, energy and water sectors together around supply security, investment and infrastructure development.

Join the Enlit Africa 2027 programme waiting list: www.Enlit-Africa.com

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

 




 

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Events

Dongfeng Motor’s 10th Science and Technology Innovation Week and 1st User Lifestyle Festival Kick Off in Wuhan

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9 hours ago

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September 24, 2026

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Dongfeng

Over the course of ten editions spanning a decade, Dongfeng Motor’s Science and Technology Innovation Week has further strengthened the connection between technology and users

WUHAN, China, September 24, 2026/APO Group/ –On September 14, Dongfeng Motor’s (​http://www.Dongfeng-Global.com/) 10th Science and Technology Innovation Week and 1st User Lifestyle Festival kicked off in Wuhan. With the theme “ Wind from the East, Creating a Smart Life,” the event showcased the innovative achievements of a Chinese automaker in intelligent and green mobility, as well as its global expansion.

 




 
 

At the opening ceremony, Dongfeng Motor unveiled the “Sky-Clean Zero-Carbon” Plan, the Embodied Intelligent Vehicle All-Domain Protection Plan, and the “Sky Horizon Voyage” Plan. Among them, the “Sky-Clean Zero-Carbon” Plan leverages the “1331” framework to build an integrated vehicle-energy ecosystem, aiming to achieve more than 1 million tonnes of coordinated carbon reduction annually and promote the transformation of automobiles into mobile energy assets; the Embodied Intelligent Vehicle All-Domain Protection Plan adopts a “1+6+4” technology system to establish a new paradigm for all-domain vehicle safety in the era of embodied intelligence; the “Sky Horizon Voyage” Plan establishes a “125” global business strategy, with plans to invest RMB 50 billion and launch more than 50 vehicle models, while striving to achieve overseas sales of 1.5 million vehicles by 2030.

 

Over the course of ten editions spanning a decade, Dongfeng Motor’s Science and Technology Innovation Week has further strengthened the connection between technology and users. At Dongfeng Motor’s 1st User Lifestyle Festival, more than 240 owner representatives from its various brands gathered in Wuhan. Dongfeng also launched the “Dongfeng Youxin” service brand for its broad user base, establishing a full-lifecycle user service system.

On the same day, the 72nd International Commercial Vehicle and Parts Exhibition opened in Hannover, Germany. Three Dongfeng hydrogen-powered vehicles and a 400-kilowatt fuel cell making its global debut are on display at Booth C20 in Hall H12.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Dongfeng Motor Corporation.

 

 




 

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Global Mayors Dialogue in Wuhan focuses on urban innovation and cooperation

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15 hours ago

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September 24, 2026

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The Global Mayors Dialogue

WUHAN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 September 2026 – The Global Mayors Dialogue · Wuhan and the 2026 Wuhan International Friendship Cities Cooperation Conference, held from Sept. 18 to 21, brought together 80 international guests from 24 cities across 22 countries, according to organizers.

At the event, mayors and city representatives from six international sister cities of Wuhan called for closer cooperation in technology, industry, education and culture.

Representatives from Manchester in Britain, Kemi in Finland, Cape Town in South Africa, Yangon in Myanmar, Rzeszów in Poland and Turkistan in Kazakhstan took part in discussions on urban innovation, industrial cooperation and cultural exchange.
 




 
Manchester: a new start after 40 years of friendship

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Wuhan and Manchester.

Shaukat Ali, lord mayor of Manchester, said the city was ready to deepen cooperation with Wuhan in education, culture, youth affairs, innovation and industry.

“Manchester is committed to promoting urban transformation through open cooperation, sharing opportunities, and fostering common development with international sister cities like Wuhan,” he said.

Ali said Manchester had developed from a post-industrial city into an innovation-oriented economy, with a focus on advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, life sciences and green technologies.

He said the two cities could share experience in urban transformation, innovation districts, university-industry cooperation and low-carbon development, while encouraging links among universities, businesses and research institutions.

He also highlighted existing educational and cultural links, including cooperation between Hubei University and Manchester Metropolitan University and exchanges between the Royal Northern College of Music and Wuhan Conservatory of Music.

Kemi: balancing growth with environmental protection

Mikko Koivulehto, chairman of the City Council of Kemi, said the Finnish city sought to balance economic growth with environmental protection.

“We believe that protecting nature and building a prosperous city can go hand in hand,” he said.

Kemi, a port city in Finnish Lapland, has developed industries based on renewable raw materials, clean energy and the bioeconomy. The city is also seeking to expand tourism and improve livability.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the friendly exchange relationship between Wuhan and Kemi. The two cities have cooperated in areas including trade, the circular economy, tourism and youth exchanges.

Cape Town: technology and jobs key to urban transformation

Lungelo Mbandazayo, city manager of Cape Town, said technological innovation, talent development, infrastructure and green renewal were key to Wuhan’s transformation.

Cape Town, a UNESCO City of Design, is seeking to expand its technology and digital sectors while promoting green technology and an inclusive economy.

Mbandazayo said youth unemployment remained a major challenge for Cape Town and that technological development needed to create jobs.

After visiting Wuhan companies and technology facilities, he said Cape Town hoped to deepen exchanges with Wuhan in technology and talent.

Yangon: seeking practical cooperation with Wuhan

Yangon Mayor Myo Myint Aung said the city was looking to Wuhan for experience in smart-city development, digital governance, intelligent transport and urban resilience.

Wuhan and Yangon signed a letter of intent on friendly exchanges and cooperation during the event.

Yangon is developing a long-term plan to accommodate population growth and expand its urban, industrial and transport infrastructure.

During a visit to Wuhan on Sept. 19, Myo toured the Optics Valley “Photon” suspended monorail, HGTECH and a Xiaomi smart home appliance factory.

“We came to Wuhan not just to observe, but to learn and cooperate,” he said, adding that Yangon hoped to develop smart manufacturing and strengthen cooperation in information technology.

Rzeszów: opportunities in aerospace and technology

Rzeszów Mayor Konrad Fijołek said the Polish city hoped to cooperate with Wuhan in aerospace, sensor technology, biodiversity and climate action.

Rzeszów is home to the “Aviation Valley,” a major aerospace cluster in Central Europe.

“Exploring cooperation with Wuhan is the reason I came here,” Fijołek said.

After visiting HGTECH and a Xiaomi smart home appliance factory, he said Wuhan’s automated manufacturing and technologies in sensors and satellite systems had impressed him.

He said cities could help connect universities, businesses and research institutions and promote international cooperation.

Turkistan: five areas for cooperation

Turkestan Mayor Azimbek Pazylbekuly said his city hoped to expand cooperation with Wuhan in tourism and culture, education and science, investment and entrepreneurship, digitalization and innovation, and transport and logistics.

Wuhan and Turkistan signed a memorandum of intent on friendly exchanges and cooperation during the event.

Turkistan, an ancient Silk Road city and a UNESCO World Heritage site, has been developing industries including food processing, textiles, furniture and construction materials.

Pazylbekuly said cooperation between governments, businesses, universities and research institutions could help turn the two cities’ exchanges into concrete projects.

The conference also included friendship-city anniversary celebrations and a signing ceremony for 10 cooperation projects. A digital list of cooperation opportunities and an initiative on international friendship-city cooperation were released.

During their stay, the visiting mayors toured Wuhan’s technology, manufacturing and ecological facilities, including the Optics Valley suspended monorail, a Yangtze finless porpoise conservation center, Xiaomi, HGTECH and Dongfeng Motor facilities.
  




 

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