Africa’s Business Heroes Unveils Top 10 Finalists for 2025 Competition

 

The Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition, a flagship initiative of Alibaba Philanthropy, has announced the Top 10 Finalists for 2025, following a fiercely contested Semi-Final in Dakar, Senegal.

This year’s competition drew nearly 32,000 applications from across the continent, with candidates undergoing several rounds of rigorous evaluation including due diligence checks, interviews, and live pitch sessions. From this pool, ten entrepreneurs emerged as the continent’s most outstanding innovators, representing sectors ranging from healthtech and fintech to agritech, foodtech, and sustainability.

“These finalists embody the best of African entrepreneurship—visionary leaders building bold, scalable businesses that create meaningful social and environmental impact,” said Zahra Baitie-Boateng, Africa Managing Director of ABH. “Their journeys showcase the ingenuity, grit, and diversity of Africa’s entrepreneurial talent.”

The announcement marked another milestone for the competition, as the Semi-Finals were held for the first time in a francophone country. With Senegal enjoying 8.6 percent GDP growth and preparing to host the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, Dakar provided a fitting stage for the event.

The Top 10 Finalists

• Wyclife Onyango – BuuPass (Kenya), Digital Transport Ticketing

• Siny Samba – Le Lionceau (Senegal), Infant Nutrition / FoodTech

• Mukasahaha Diane – DIKAM Ltd (Rwanda), Textiles / Women and Youth Empowerment

• Baraka Chijenga – Kilimo Fresh Foods Africa Ltd (Tanzania), Agritech / Food Security

• Janet Kuteli – Fortune Credit Ltd (Kenya), FinTech / Microfinance

• Diana Orembe – NovFeed (Tanzania), Agritech / Biotech

• Abraham Mbuthia – Uzapoint Technologies Ltd (Kenya), SME Tech / Digital Tools

• Gohar Said – Suplyd (Egypt), FoodTech / Supply Chain

• Adriaan Kruger – nuvoteQ (South Africa), HealthTech / Digital Solutions

• Jean Lobe Lobe – Waspito (Cameroon), HealthTech / Telemedicine

The finalists will advance to the ABH Grand Finale in Kigali, Rwanda, scheduled for December 12–13, where they will compete for US$1.5 million in grant funding. The overall winner will take home US$300,000, while each of the other finalists is guaranteed at least US$100,000, alongside access to mentorship, networks, and storytelling opportunities.

Judges and Supporters
The Semi-Finals judging panel featured Hasan Haidar (Managing Director, PlusVC), Jason Pau (Vice President, Alibaba Group), and Moulaye Taboure (CEO and Founder of ANKA), who himself was an ABH Top 10 Hero in a previous edition.

“As a former ABH finalist, I know the transformative power of this platform,” said Taboure. “This year’s entrepreneurs inspire hope for Africa’s future. Their innovation and resilience are remarkable.”

The event was supported by Alibaba Philanthropy and Senegalese sponsors Wave, Sonatel, and InTouch Group, with additional backing from partners such as Haske Ventures, Impact Hub Dakar, SenStartup, Seedstars, and African Leadership University.

Now in its 7th edition, the ABH Prize Competition has become one of the continent’s most influential entrepreneurial platforms, spotlighting and supporting promising businesses that are shaping Africa’s economic and social future.