The top ten contenders for the 2021 Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) prize (https://AfricaBusinessHeroes.org), a flagship philanthropy program launched by the Jack Ma Foundation, have been announced. These ten entrepreneurs will make their last presentation in November for a chance to earn a portion of a US$1.5 million prize fund at the grand finale.
“It’s African time! We have been continuously impressed with all of our 2021 Top 10 finalists, especially their diversity and strength of their businesses. The Top 10 are truly inspiring and are a testament to the talent, resilience, innovation, and passion of African entrepreneurs. In the midst of unprecedented challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, we remain steadfast in our efforts to identify, support and shine a spotlight on African entrepreneurs that are driving positive growth for their communities,” said Jason Pau, Executive Director of International, Jack Ma Foundation.
Here Is What You Need To Know
- The ten entrepreneurs, half of whom are women, were chosen from over 12,000 applicants from 54 African countries and went through several levels of judgment and review.
- The top ten companies, with an average age of 32, are based in seven African countries: Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Uganda.
- Agriculture, beauty, education, energy, food & beverage, logistics, manufacturing, media & entertainment, and retail are among its important industries.
- The companies of 80% of the finalists are located in rural areas.
- Africa’s Business Heroes will hold its virtual Grand Finale in November, and the top recipients of the 2021 ABH prize will be announced soon after.
- The finalists will refine their pitches over the next two weeks, leveraging the in-depth training, learnings, and insights gained over their ABH journey.
Meet the 2021 Top 10 finalists here:
Ghirmay Abraham, Founder, Aptech Africa (https://AptechAfrica.com) (Uganda)
Ghirmay was born in Eritrea and went to the University of Asmara to study mechanical engineering before working in the renewable energy business. Aptech Africa was founded with only a $20,000 investment. Aptech has grown to be a worldwide company operating in seven African countries, working to bring electricity and water to people all over the continent.
Navalayo Osembo-Ombati, Co-Founder and CEO, Enda Athletic (https://Endasportswear.com) (Kenya)
Navalayo is from a Kenyan community that has produced generations of world-class distance runners. Navalayo created Enda Athletic, a made-in-Kenya running shoe firm that creates jobs, invests in local communities, and promotes economic growth through exports, to maximize social impact in Kenya through sports. She is a London School of Economics graduate.
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Oghenetega Iortim, Founder, Gricd (https://Gricd.com) (Nigeria)
Oghenetega has a Bachelor’s degree in Information Communications Engineering from Covenant University. Oghenetega is committed to using technology to address health and food accessibility issues. He is creating cold-chain facilities through his firm, Gricd, to address storage issues in the agriculture and healthcare sectors.
Yvette Ishimwe, Founder and CEO, IRIBA Water Group (https://IRIBAWaterGroup.com) (Rwanda)
IRIBA Water Group is a non-profit organization that provides innovative drinking water solutions. Yvette, the company’s founder, has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth has honored her as a YALI Mandela Washington Fellow in appreciation of the impact IRIBA has had on the community.
Charlot Magayi, Founder and CEO, Mukuru Clean Stoves (https://MukuruStoves.org) (Kenya)
Charlot was inspired to create safer cooking technology when his two-year-old daughter was severely burned by a typical burner. Mukuru was founded by her to help keep youngsters safe while also reducing household air pollution and fuel usage. Charlot has been recognized by Global Citizen, the World Bank, and AWIEF as an Echoing Green Fellow.
Khadija Mohamed Elbedweihy, Founder, PraxiLabs (https://Praxilabs.com) (Egypt)
Khadija earned her PhD in human-computer interaction and user experience from the University of Sheffield. Khadija established and currently manages PraxiLabs, which provides virtual scientific labs to educational institutions and schools, based on her belief that technology can improve education and enable equal chances.
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Chidi Nwaogu, Co-founder and CEO, Publiseer (https://Publiseer.net) (Nigeria)
Chidi Nwaogu is a software developer and a digital entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of Publiseer, a digital content distribution company that aims to support independent and underrepresented African creatives. He is an Acumen Fellow, Alibaba eFounders Fellow, Westerwelle Fellow, and French-African Young Leader, as well as the winner of the Swiss Government’s 2020 Migration Entrepreneurship Prize.
Ikenna Nzewi, Co-founder and CEO, Releaf Marketplace Nigeria (https://Releaf.africa) (Nigeria)
Ikenna earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Yale University in 2017 and co-founded Releaf while still in school. Releaf is an agriculture technology firm that creates hardware and software to help Africa’s food processing industry become more industrialized.
Violet Amoabeng, Founder and CEO, Skin Gourmet (https://SkinGourmet.com) (Ghana)
Violet holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in business administration, with a focus on marketing, supply chain management, and accounting. Violet launched Skin Gourmet in 2014 with GHS 145 (US $45.00). Violet has been profiled in Glitz and EMY Magazine as a growing industry leader, and Skin Gourmet is currently available in over 17 countries.
Ketsheaphone Jacob, Founder and CEO, The Bulb World (https://bit.ly/3FgGU1u) (Botswana)
Ketsheaphone is the founder and CEO of The Bulb World, a firm that makes LED lights. Ketshephaone is passionate about assisting young entrepreneurs and giving back to communities through The Bulb World’s CSR Initiative, which aims to brighten up public boarding schools so that students may learn more effectively.
Africa’s Business Heroes 2021 Africa’s Business Heroes 2021
Charles Rapulu Udoh
Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer who has advised startups across Africa on issues such as startup funding (Venture Capital, Debt financing, private equity, angel investing etc), taxation, strategies, etc. He also has special focus on the protection of business or brands’ intellectual property rights ( such as trademark, patent or design) across Africa and other foreign jurisdictions.
He is well versed on issues of ESG (sustainability), media and entertainment law, corporate finance and governance.
He is also an award-winning writer