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Grand Prize Winner Crowned at the Sixth Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Summit and Grand Finale, Marking a Landmark Year for African Entrepreneurship

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Africa’s Business Heroes

The ABH Summit and Grand Finale in Kigali, Rwanda, celebrated the Top 10 finalists, selected from nearly 20,000 applicants to compete for a share of the $1.5 million prize

KIGALI, Rwanda, March 16, 2025/APO Group/ –The Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition (www.AfricaBusinessHeroes.org), a philanthropic initiative sponsored by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy, has announced the grand prize winner of its sixth annual competition, along with the first and second runners-up, at the latest ABH Summit and Grand Finale.

The ABH Summit and Grand Finale in Kigali, Rwanda, celebrated the Top 10 finalists, selected from nearly 20,000 applicants to compete for a share of the $1.5 million prize. Under the theme “AI – African Innovation, Insight and Impact,” they pitched their businesses to a live audience and a distinguished judging panel, including Dr. Diane Karusisi, CEO of Bank of Kigali and Ibukun Awosika, Founder of the Chair Centre, who were joined by Fred Swaniker, Founder and CEO of Sand Technologies. The event culminated in the awards ceremony, where the winners were unveiled.

The top three Africa’s Business Heroes for 2024 are:

1st – winning US$300,000 – Henri Ousmane Gueye, Co-founder & CEO, EYONE (https://Eyone.net/) (Senegal)

2nd – winning US$250,000 – Dr. Salma Bougarrani, Co-Founder & CEO, GREEN WATECH (www.GreenWatech.com) (Morocco)

3rd – winning US$150,000 – Alexander Odhiambo, Founder & CEO, Solutech Limited (www.Solutech.co.ke) (Kenya)

Commenting on the win, Henri Ousmane Gueye said, “I am very proud to be announced as the winner of the 2024 ABH Prize Competition. This achievement is the result of a lot of hard work, and I am incredibly proud of my team. It’s a significant milestone for us, and it serves as an encouragement for us to keep working towards solving the problem our innovation addresses. It motivates us to continue tackling the big challenges our country faces.”

ABH Managing Director – Africa, Zahra Baitie-Boateng highlighted the debut of ABi, ABH’s AI co-host, at this year’s Summit and Grand Finale, noting its role in providing insights, sparking discussions and enhancing connections. She emphasized the ingenuity of the Top 10 finalists, whose impact showcases entrepreneurship’s power to address Africa’s challenges. “Congratulations to Henri and all our finalists! As we celebrate their success, we’re excited to launch the 2025 call for applications and continue empowering Africa’s next business leaders.”

Africa’s future will be shaped by those who see challenges as opportunities and take action

ABH announced that Rwanda will host the Summit and Grand Finale for the next four years, reinforcing its role as a hub for entrepreneurship. The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and Rwanda Convention Bureau (RCB) were recognized as key partners, with Bank of Kigali also supporting the event.

A Summit of Entrepreneurial Insights and Thought Leadership

The two-day ABH Summit and Grand Finale brought together 1,606 participants, showcasing thought leadership and top entrepreneurial talent. Discussions explored how entrepreneurship addresses Africa’s key challenges in healthcare, agriculture and education. The event featured live podcast recordings, a debate, TED-style ABHx talks, a financing masterclass and interactive experiences like the ABH Heroes’ Circle business ‘roast’ and Networking in the Dark, a blindfolded networking session.

With over 50 distinguished speakers from 15 countries, the lineup included Jean-Guy Afrika, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board; Nick Hu, Executive Director of Health Innovation at Sand Technologies; Dr. Brenda Kateera, Country Director at the Clinton Health Access Initiative; Nathalie Munyampenda, CEO of Kepler; and Hasan Haider, Founder & Managing Partner at PlusVC and ABH Semi-Final judge.

In her opening keynote, ABH Grand Finale judge Ibukun Awosika emphasized ‘African Intelligence’ as key to shaping the continent’s entrepreneurial future. She highlighted purpose-driven leadership, lived experiences and local ingenuity in driving impactful solutions. “Africa’s future will be shaped by those who see challenges as opportunities and take action,” she stated.

The 2025 ABH Call for Applications

The event closed with the official launch of the 2025 call for applications, inviting African entrepreneurs to apply for the next edition of the competition and stand their chance to win a share of $1.5 million USD. Full details for interested applicants can be found at: https://apo-opa.co/4bucitT

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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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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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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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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