Applications have now opened for the Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Competition, the Jack Ma Foundation’s flagship philanthropic program in Africa which annually awards 10 outstanding finalists with a share of a $1.5 million grant.
The ABH initiative aims to identify, support, and inspire the next generation of African entrepreneurs who are making a difference in their local communities, working to solve the most pressing problems, and building a more sustainable and inclusive economy for the future. Last year, the top ten finalists represented eight African countries: Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, and their businesses spanned key industries such as agriculture, fashion, education, healthcare, renewable energy, and financial services.
To promote inclusivity, applications are now open in English and French for “heroes” across all sectors and African countries, who operate businesses formally registered and headquartered in an African country and have a 3-year track record – with special emphasis on those working to achieve the UN SDGs. All applications will be open online until June 7, with semi-finalists announced in August, and the top 10 finalists for 2021 unveiled in September.
