African Business Heroes' competition earmarks $1.5m for entrepreneurs

Budding African entrepreneurs are set to benefit from a $1.5m grant allocated under the 2025 African Business Heroes competition with applications now open until May 23, 2025.

Africa Business Heroes (ABH) is the Jack Ma Foundation’s flagship philanthropic program in Africa to support entrepreneurs.

ABHs’ mission is to showcase and grow local talent who are creating positive impact in their communities and beyond, and inspire a movement of African entrepreneurship.

Over ten years, the program will recognize 100 African entrepreneurs and provide grant funding, training programs, and broader support for the broad African entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Each year, ten outstanding finalists are selected to compete in the ABH Grand Finale pitch competition, where they showcase their businesses for a chance to win a share of $1.5 million in grant funding.

Beyond funding, these finalists receive extensive exposure through high-quality video features, media coverage, and influencer collaborations that spotlight their entrepreneurial journeys and the impact they are making.

Finalists also gain lifetime access to an exclusive community of like-minded entrepreneurs, investors, business professionals, and mentors. Additionally, they benefit from training programs, networking opportunities, and ongoing support to help scale their businesses and drive even greater impact.

Eligibility requirements

You must be the founder or co-founder of the business.

Must be an African citizen or a direct descendant (child or grandchild) of an African citizen.

The company must be registered, headquartered, and primarily operating in an African country.

The business must have at least three years of revenue and demonstrated market traction.

Benefits

Grant funds of up to $300 000

The Top 10 finalists share a prize pool of $1.5 million in grants ranging from $100,000 to $300,000.

The winner takes home $300,000; The 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up take home $250,000 and $150,000 respectively. All other 7 finalists, take home $100,000. An additional $100,000 is allocated for global immersion training.

Global recognition and exposure

ABH shines a spotlight on exceptional African entrepreneurs through press releases, social media campaigns, and media coverage at every stage of the competition.

The Top 10 finalists receive extensive PR opportunities, amplifying their brand and business.

They also join an elite community of Africa’s most impactful entrepreneurs, gaining access to networking events, collaboration opportunities, and connections with business leaders across the continent.

ABH finalists further receive one-on-one mentorship from global business leaders, investors, and industry experts, both during and after the competition, helping them refine their strategies and scale their businesses.

Beneficiaries also receive tailored training in financial management, marketing, intellectual property (IP) law, investment readiness, and business growth strategies. Finalists gain access to exclusive programs and partner services to strengthen their business acumen.

The application process itself is a learning journey, helping entrepreneurs refine their storytelling and pitching. Participants receive feedback and guidance at each stage from experienced business professionals and industry veterans.

Application timeline:

Round 1: Application review

Each application is independently assessed by three judges based on the ABH’s evaluation criteria. The Top 50 Finalists are selected based on the average scores.

Each Top 50 finalist will participate in a 90-minute interview with three seasoned business leaders for an in-depth assessment. The Top 20 finalists are determined based on their average scores.

A trusted third party conducts due diligence on the top 20 finalists before they advance to the Semi-Final round.

Shortlisted finalists pitch in person to a distinguished panel of investors, business leaders, and industry experts, who will determine the top 10 finalists.

The top 10 finalists will pitch in front of a live audience and a high-profile panel of judges for a share of $1.5 million in grant funding. The event will be broadcast online and featured on our social media platforms.

How to Apply

Register an ABH account Confirm your eligibility. Fill in the application (You will need to answer questions about yourself, your vision, your business model and future plans). Get a reference. Submit a video introduction of yourself. For more details, visit https://africabusinessheroes.org/en/