10 Startup Finalists Selected for Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative

TechInAfrica – Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative has finally selected the 10 finalists for its grand final competition to be held in Accra, Ghana, on November 16^th this year. They were selected after defeating thousands of submitted applications during the seven months period. The selected finalists are ranging from Egypt, Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Rwanda, and Nigeria. The final pitching event will be run under the theme of Africa’s Business Heroes and aired on November 29 across African countries.

The judges of the competition include the Founder of Alibaba Group, Jack Ma; Founder and Executive Chairman of Econet Group, Strive Masiyiwa; Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria and Founder of The Chair Center Group, Ibukun Awosika; and Executive Vice Chairman of Alibaba Group, Joe Tsai.

“We launched the Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative to identify top entrepreneurs from across the continent, not only to reward them but to inspire a whole new generation of potential game-changers for Africa,” said Jack Ma.

“I have been inspired by the entrepreneurs I met in Africa, many of whom are dealing with the same challenges we faced when we started Alibaba years ago. I truly believe the potential of Africa’s business heroes is limitless,” added Ma.

*Jack Ma, Founder of Alibaba Group via bizmag.co.za*

The Jack Ma Foundation will be hosting a full-day conference on November 16^th called the Africa Netpreneur Summit where it’s only for invited attendees only. The Summit brings together African and global entrepreneurs, investors, educators, and leaders to discuss the best ways to enable entrepreneurship and the digital economy on the continent. The Summit is scheduled to feature Ban Ki-Moon, former United Nations Secretary-General. He will deliver a keynote speech at the prestigious event.

Speaking of the 10 selected finalists, they are Mumm’s CEO, Waleed Abd El Rahman from Egypt, Thrive Agric’s Co-Founder, Ayodeji Arikawe from Nigeria, LifeBank’s Founder and CEO, Temie Giwa-Tubosun from Nigeria, J-Palm’s Founder and CEO, Mahmud Johnson from Liberia, UZURI K&Y’s Co-Founder and CEO, Kevine Kagirimpundu from Rwanda, Water Access Rwanda’s Founder, Christelle Kwizera from Rwanda, Black Swan’s Founder, Dr. Tosan J. Mogbeyi Teren, DrugStoc’s Co-Founder, Chibuzo Opara from Nigeria, Nawah-Scientific’s Founder and CEO, Dr. Omar Sakr from Egpyt, Afrikrea’s Co-Founder and CEO, Moulaye Taboure from Cote d’Ivoire.