A very positive sign of African women venturing into competitive business environment manifested in this year’s Anzisha Prize for entrepreneurship in Africa, as 21 year old Egyptian entrepreneur Alaa Moatamed, whose venture provides business owners with an affordable and convenient delivery service for customers, has been named winner of the 2020 Anzisha Prize, taking home US$25,000.
The Anzisha Prize, which is a partnership between African Leadership Academy and Mastercard Foundation, celebrates African entrepreneurs aged 22 years and younger, and has so far supported 122 entrepreneurs.
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It could be recalled that Afrika Heroes reported last month that the search for the winner for the 10th edition of the Prize was narrowed down to 20 finalists who would compete for a share of US$100,000 in grant funding. Moatamed has now been named winner for her work as co-founder of Presto, a leading delivery management service.
“Across upper Egypt, I saw people suffering from the problem we are solving and I wanted to try my best to help them, especially small businesses owned by women. I want to expand my service across Africa to help women who are suffering from operational hassles,” she said.
Ed-tech entrepreneur Matina Razafimahefa, 22, from Madagascar, emerged as the first runner up, banking US$15,000, while 22-year-old infrastructure entrepreneur Mohamed Bah, from Sierra Leone, was the second runner up, taking home US$12,500.
Each of the other 17 finalists will receive US$2,500, and all finalists will receive venture building support and mentorship.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry