No Nigerian made the Top 10 Africa’s Business Heroes List for 2025

The Africa’s Business Heroes Prize Competition (ABH) (https://AfricaBusinessHeroes.org/) Prize Competition — the flagship philanthropic initiative of Alibaba Philanthropy — is set to host the 7th ABH Summit and Grand Finale in Kigali, Rwanda, on 12–13 December 2025, in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). For the 2025 final, no Nigerian made the top 10 list.

Over two days, the gathering will convene more than 1,000 entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, founders, partners, and industry specialists from across the continent and beyond. Attendees will participate in learning sessions, networking activities, and collaborative engagements, all centered on celebrating African innovation and enterprise.

The Grand Finale and Awards Ceremony will showcase live pitches delivered before a panel of distinguished judges, alongside immersive stage moments and performances that highlight African creativity. The event will conclude with the naming of this year’s winners and the allocation of up to US$1.5 million in grant funding.

This year’s Grand Finale follows the 7th ABH Semi-Finals, held for the first time in Dakar, Senegal, on 10–11 September 2025. From 20 exceptional semi-finalists, 10 entrepreneurs were selected after two days of rigorous pitching and evaluation.

The 2025 Top 10 finalists, representing a diverse range of sectors shaping the continent’s future, are:

1. Wyclife Onyango (Kenya) (https://apo-opa.co/4o7wk2b) – Transport and Digital Ticketing, BuuPass
2. Siny Samba (Senegal) (https://apo-opa.co/3JLlhh0) – FoodTech and Infant Nutrition, Le Lionceau
3. Mukasahaha Diane (Rwanda) (https://apo-opa.co/4nZbeml) – Textiles and Women’s Empowerment, DIKAM Ltd
4. Baraka Chijenga (Tanzania) (https://apo-opa.co/4r8N7o5) – AgriTech and Food Security, Kilimo Fresh Foods Africa
5. Janet Kuteli (Kenya) (https://apo-opa.co/4r6I8UT) – FinTech and Microfinance, Fortune Credit Limited
6. Diana Orembe (Tanzania) (https://apo-opa.co/3X4fR3y) – AgriTech and Biotech, NovFeed
7. Abraham Mbuthia (Kenya) (https://apo-opa.co/3Ma5IzZ) – SME Tech and Digital Tools, Uzapoint Technologies Limited
8. Gohar Said (Egypt) (https://apo-opa.co/3KbGdxJ) – FoodTech and Supply Chain, Suplyd
9. Adriaan Kruger (South Africa) (https://apo-opa.co/47OPvZJ) – HealthTech and Digital Solutions, nuvoteQ
10. Jean Lobe Lobe (Cameroon) (https://apo-opa.co/3X0W70P) – HealthTech and Telemedicine, Waspito

“Our Top 10 finalists exemplify the remarkable breadth and depth of African entrepreneurship — from agritech and fintech to groundbreaking health solutions and sustainability,” said Zahra Baitie-Boateng, Africa Managing Director, Africa’s Business Heroes. “Their path to Kigali reflects months of hard work, innovation, and growth. We look forward to seeing them share their visions with a pan-African audience. The Summit and Grand Finale will spotlight collaboration, creativity, and the profound potential of African entrepreneurs to shape the continent’s future.”

Reinforcing its commitment as a longstanding partner, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) will once again welcome the ABH Grand Finale — marking the third consecutive year Kigali has hosted the event, further establishing Rwanda as a continental hub for entrepreneurship and innovation.

“We are thrilled to welcome the 7th Africa’s Business Heroes Summit and Grand Finale to Kigali,” said Jean-Guy Afrika, Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Development Board. “Our partnership with ABH reflects a mutual dedication to fostering innovation and supporting entrepreneurs across Africa. Hosting the Grand Finale for the third time strengthens Rwanda’s position as a dynamic center for business and forward-thinking solutions. This event will offer powerful opportunities for founders, investors, and leaders to connect and build ventures that fuel sustainable development across Africa.”

The 7th ABH Summit and Grand Finale

Centered on the theme “Defining Africa’s Future Today,” the 2025 Summit will feature interactive learning sessions, masterclasses, and live pitch competitions that spotlight bold thinkers shaping Africa’s transformation. Confirmed speakers include Mr. Lijun Sun (Chair of the Board, Alibaba Foundation; President, Alibaba Philanthropy), Mrs. Juliana Muganza (Deputy CEO, RDB), and several leading industry figures such as Clare Akamanzi (CEO, NBA Africa), Tara Fela-Durotoye (Founder, House of Tara & Building Beyond You Institute), Wandia Gichuru (CEO, Vivo Fashion Group), and Naa Ashorkor (Journalist and Theatre Producer).

The Grand Finale will also convene a prestigious panel of global innovators and business leaders, including Dr. Diane Karusisi (CEO, Bank of Kigali) and Mrs. Ibukun Awosika (CEO, The Chair Centre Group).

A Pan-African Platform for Partnership

Now in its seventh year, ABH remains committed to promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth across Africa. To date, the program has supported 70 entrepreneurs with funding, training, and global exposure, enabling them to scale impactful ventures across agribusiness, fintech, healthcare, education, sustainability, and more. Through training initiatives such as ABH ScaleUp, the program has engaged over 5,000 entrepreneurs and attracted more than 160,000 applicants since launch.

The 2025 ABH Summit and Grand Finale are made possible through Alibaba Philanthropy in collaboration with the Rwanda Development Board. Key supporting sponsors — including Gebeya, Bank of Kigali, Jasiri, and Inkomoko — help expand ABH’s impact across the continent. ABH also acknowledges the vital contributions of its Outreach Partners, such as Hanga Pitchfest, BPN Rwanda, Impact Hub Kigali, African Leadership University, Carnegie Mellon University Africa, Kepler College, and Norrsken Africa, all of whom help connect ABH with dynamic entrepreneurial communities across Africa. Collectively, these partners power ABH’s mission to uplift, equip, and celebrate the continent’s business trailblazers.

Entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem stakeholders are invited to learn more and register for the ABH Summit and Grand Finale at https://AfricaBusinessHeroes.org/en/.