The Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition has announced the winners of its sixth annual event, spotlighting exceptional entrepreneurial talent from across the continent. The competition, sponsored by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy, aims to identify and support African entrepreneurs who are making significant impacts in their communities and industries.
Out of nearly 20,000 applicants, ten finalists competed for a share of the $1.5 million prize pool at the ABH Summit and Grand Finale held in Kigali, Rwanda. Under the theme “AI – African Innovation, Insight and Impact,” the finalists presented their businesses to a live audience and a distinguished panel of judges, including Dr. Diane Karusisi, CEO of Bank of Kigali; Ibukun Awosika, Founder of The Chair Centre; and Fred Swaniker, Founder and CEO of Sand Technologies.
The top three winners are:
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Henri Ousmane Gueye (Senegal) – Co-founder & CEO of EYONE
Awarded the Grand Prize of $300,000, EYONE is a pioneering digital health platform that enhances healthcare accessibility in Senegal through digital medical records and patient-centered solutions. -
Dr. Salma Bougarrani (Morocco) – Co-founder & CEO of GREEN WATECH
Securing second place with a prize of $250,000, GREEN WATECH specializes in sustainable water treatment solutions, addressing water scarcity challenges across Africa with eco-friendly technologies. -
Alexander Odhiambo (Kenya) – Founder & CEO of Solutech Limited
Earning third place and $150,000, Solutech Limited provides digital solutions that streamline sales, distribution, and customer relationship management for African businesses, promoting data-driven decision-making.
Reflecting on his achievement, Henri Ousmane Gueye expressed pride in his team’s hard work and emphasized the motivation this recognition provides to continue addressing significant challenges in Senegal’s healthcare sector.
The ABH Summit and Grand Finale attracted over 1,600 participants and featured discussions on entrepreneurship’s role in tackling Africa’s challenges in healthcare, agriculture, and education. Notably, the event introduced ABi, ABH’s AI co-host, to enhance engagement and provide insights during the summit.
Looking ahead, ABH has opened applications for its 2025 Prize Competition, inviting African entrepreneurs with bold ideas and scalable business models to apply for a chance to win a share of the $1.5 million grant. Details on the application process are available on the official ABH website.
This year’s competition not only celebrated the ingenuity and resilience of African entrepreneurs but also reinforced Kigali, Rwanda, as a burgeoning hub for entrepreneurship, with plans to host the ABH Summit and Grand Finale for the next four years.
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