Africa’s Business Heroes Opens 2026 Applications, Expands Reach and Recognition Across the Continent

Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH), the flagship philanthropic initiative of Alibaba Philanthropy and the Jack Ma Foundation, has officially opened applications for its 8th edition, inviting African entrepreneurs building transformative businesses to apply.

Launched under the theme “Defining Africa’s Future Today,” the 2026 edition reinforces ABH’s commitment to championing founder-led solutions with the ambition, scale and long-term vision to drive economic transformation across the continent.

From climate-smart agriculture and fintech to healthcare, logistics, manufacturing and emerging technologies, African entrepreneurs are tackling critical challenges with bold innovation. ABH aims to identify these founders, accelerate their growth and amplify their stories to inspire the next generation of business leaders.

“Africa’s future is being shaped by entrepreneurs who are addressing the continent’s most pressing challenges and unlocking its economic potential,” said Zahra Boateng-Baitie, Managing Director for Africa at Africa’s Business Heroes. She emphasized that beyond the USD 1.5 million in grant funding, ABH provides founders with mentorship, strategic support and global visibility to help them scale sustainable, job-creating enterprises that drive inclusive growth.

Expanding Pan-African Engagement

In 2026, ABH will deepen its on-the-ground engagement by visiting ten African markets, prioritizing countries that have historically been underrepresented among its Top 10 finalists, including Namibia, Tunisia, and Zambia.

These visits will feature community-building events, workshops, and tailored founder engagements, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors and ecosystem partners while strengthening local innovation ecosystems.

In a further expansion, ABH will increase its recognition pool in 2026 by announcing a Top 100 Finalists list, up from the previous Top 50. This move reflects the rapid growth in applications — rising from around 10,000 in 2019 to more than 30,000 annually — and underscores ABH’s ambition to spotlight a wider range of high-potential African businesses.

More Than a Competition

Now in its eighth year, Africa’s Business Heroes has evolved into one of the continent’s most respected entrepreneurship platforms. Beyond awarding USD 1.5 million in grant funding annually to ten outstanding entrepreneurs, the programme offers capacity-building, mentorship, and long-term community support.

Top 10 finalists also gain access to a fully sponsored immersive learning experience at Alibaba’s campus in Hangzhou, China, where they engage with global experts, explore digital innovation practices, and connect with the broader Alibaba ecosystem. The next cohort of past finalists is set to travel to Hangzhou in September 2026.

A Track Record of Impact

The 7th edition of ABH concluded in December 2025 with Diana Orembe, Co-Founder and CEO of NovFeed, named Africa’s Business Hero. Her biotech venture converts organic waste into sustainable protein for animal feed, addressing both food security and environmental sustainability challenges.

Reflecting on her win, Orembe described ABH as transformational — not only for the funding, but for the training, visibility, and powerful network it provides. She noted that the programme pushes entrepreneurs to refine their strategy and expand their impact beyond the competition finale.

The 2025 edition attracted over 31,000 applications and awarded USD 1.5 million to ten finalists representing seven African countries, demonstrating the depth and diversity of Africa’s entrepreneurial talent.

Who Should Apply

Applications are open to founders who:

• Are citizens or legal residents of an African country

• Lead a registered business headquartered in Africa

• Have at least three years of demonstrated traction

• Show commitment to positive societal impact

ABH is sector-agnostic and welcomes entrepreneurs operating in key sectors such as food systems, climate and energy, fintech, health, logistics, manufacturing, artificial intelligence and more.

Applications Now Open

Entrepreneurs shaping Africa’s future can submit applications in English or French.