Grace Ashiru
Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) has launched applications for its eighth annual edition, making $1.5 million in grant funding available to ten African entrepreneurs building transformative businesses across the continent. The initiative is backed by Alibaba Philanthropy and the Jack Ma Foundation and has operated as one of Africa’s most influential entrepreneurship platforms since 2019.
Running under the theme “Defining Africa’s Future Today,” the 2026 edition maintains ABH’s founder-first philosophy while broadening its geographic reach. The top prize winner receives $300,000, with the first and second runners-up receiving $250,000 and $150,000 respectively. The remaining seven finalists each receive $100,000, alongside an additional $100,000 allocated for global immersion training at Alibaba’s campus in Hangzhou, China in September 2026.
A notable change this cycle sees the competition advancing the top 100 applicants — up from 50 in previous years — to the interview stage. Applications are open in both English and French across all sectors, including fintech, climate, health, AI, and beyond. The 2026 edition will deepen engagement in markets that have historically been underrepresented in the finals, with specific outreach planned in Namibia, Tunisia, and Zambia.
Last year’s winner was Diana Orembe of Tanzania’s NovFeed, a biotech startup converting organic waste into sustainable animal feed and biofertilisers. Applications close April 28, 2026.
