Africa’s Top 20 Business

Africa’s Business Heroes 2025: The Top 20 Entrepreneurs Driving the Continent’s Innovation and Growth

Entrepreneurship in Africa is expanding rapidly and the focus of Africa’s Business Heroes is on the continent’s new leading business figures. The 2025 Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) alia Africa’s Business Heroes focuses on Africa and global philanthropists and venture philanthropists. Africa’s Business Heroes promises over $1.5 million in prizes, and in return, these semi-finalists on the sectional level are competing for recognition on a global scale during which the Africa’s Business Heroes foundation under the Jack Ma Foundation is making its Top 20 selections. Over the years, these innovators are competing for funding and gaining international visibility for the ideas we deeply value and are fighting on.

A Historic Year for Africa’s Business Heroes

ABH received over 32,000 applications, a record for the 2025 ABH competition, making it the most competitive in the seven years the program has been running. The competition has become the most competitive ever for the past seven years. Applications were received from all 54 regions of Africa. More competitions of this nature are emerging, indicating the growth of entrepreneurial activities on the continent. Earlier this year, the initiative announced its Top 50 cohort, which spanned 17 countries and 16 sectors, highlighting the incredible diversity of business models flourishing across Africa.

The Top 50 cohort included businesses in fintech, agribusiness, renewable energy, healthcare, education, and AI, among others.

Virtual Bootcamp and Selection Process

With focused programming, ABH designed its Virtual Bootcamp paddocks by experienced trainers, engineers, and mentors, who configured intricate deployment strategies under broad digital mentorship formations. Scheduled with intensive training, cohort members learned operational and nonprofit management skills. After the Bootcamp, ABH partnered with PlusVC for the due diligence process involving detailed interviews to shortlist the Top 20 semi-finalists. The selected entrepreneurs will present their business ideas in Dakar on 10–11 September 2025, aiming to reach the Grand Finale in Kigali in December.

Meet the 2025 Top 20 Semi-Finalists

The diversity across the continent is further illustrated by the Top 20 finalists’ innovation:

Adriaan Kruger – HealthTech / Digital Solutions – Nuvoteq (South Africa)
Baraka Chijenga – AgriTech / Food Security – Kilimo Fresh Foods Africa Ltd (Tanzania)
Blandine Umuziranenge – HealthTech / Women Empowerment – Kosmotive (Rwanda)
Bundi Mbuthia – SME Tech / Digital Tools – Uzapoint Technologies Ltd (Kenya)
Diana Gerald – AgriTech / Biotech – Novfeed (Tanzania)
Gohar Said – FoodTech / Supply Chain – Suplyd (Egypt)
Janet Kuteli – FinTech / Microfinance – Fortune Credit Ltd (Kenya)
Jean Lobe Lobe – HealthTech / Telemedicine – Waspito (Cameroon)
Jessica Roussos – EdTech / Skills Training – BluLever Education Pty Ltd (South Africa)
Khadija Churchill – FoodTech / Distribution – Kwanza Tukule Foods Ltd (Kenya)
Louisa Olafuyi – EdTech / Children’s Media – Kunda Kids Ltd (Uganda)
Mofehintolu Funso – FinTech / Credit Access – CredPal (Nigeria)
Moka Lantum – Healthcare / FinTech – CheckUps Medical Center (Kenya)
Mukashahaha Diane – Textiles / Women & Youth Empowerment – DIKAM Ltd (Rwanda)
Neamat Eltazi – AgriTech / Sustainability – Poultry Sync (Egypt)
Racine Sarr – SAWA by Shop Me Away (Senegal) – Logistics / Digital Platforms
Samwel Ezikiel – Mwamba Mining Limited (Tanzania) – Mining / Sustainability
Siny Samba – Le Lionceau (Senegal) – FoodTech / Infant Nutrition
Thomas Patrick – Franc Group (South Africa) – FinTech / Wealth Management
Wycliffe Onyango – BuuPass (Kenya) – Transport / Digital Ticketing

Impact of Technology on ABH 2025

ABH adopted AI this year to improve its application and screening process. An AI assistant named ABi, powered by Qwen Turbo AI, assisted applicants and automated the first stage of evaluation. Automating responses and evaluation improved ABH’s handling of the 32,000 applications and ensured no entrepreneur was overlooked due to administrative delays. The use of AI in philanthropy demonstrates the role of technology in scaling impact and supporting entrepreneurial programs.

Fostering Sustainable Innovation: Libya and Renewables

Finalists’ innovations are integrated into Africa’s sustainable development shift. Libya, for instance, is a leader in renewable energy. The Kufra solar facility, part of Libya’s $10 billion national solar program, will save 545,000 liters of diesel annually and reduce at least 1,300 tons of CO2 emissions. Operated by locally trained engineers, the project emphasizes domestic capability building and sustainable energy self-sufficiency. Libya aims for 4 GW of renewable energy by 2035, inspiring African entrepreneurs to address societal and environmental challenges.

Women and Francophone Entrepreneurs Leading Change

A third of the 2025 Top 20 semi-finalists are women, demonstrating their rising presence in African entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs like Blandine Umuziranenge (Kosmotive) and Khadija Churchill (Kwanza Tukule Foods Ltd) lead successful businesses while creating jobs for women and youth. Francophone representation is also notable, with 10% of semi-finalists from Francophone Africa, ensuring linguistic inclusivity in mentorship, funding, and exposure.

The Broader Impact of ABH

Africa’s Business Heroes fuels economic development by mentoring, funding, and giving global exposure to African entrepreneurs. The 2025 winners will become the next set of continental leaders, expanding influence and driving Africa’s growth. Many finalists tackle issues like food and financial injustice, access to quality healthcare, and education. ABH nurtures a new wave of socially responsible, technologically advanced, globally competitive entrepreneurs.

What’s Next: From Dakar to Kigali

The next phase will take place in Dakar, Senegal, where the Top 20 will pitch to judges, investors, business leaders, and previous ABH winners. The finalists with the strongest pitches will advance to the Grand Finale in Kigali, Rwanda, competing for a portion of the US$1.5 million prize. This journey allows entrepreneurs to form connections, secure investments, and receive mentorship to grow their businesses beyond local markets.

Conclusion: The Future of Entrepreneurship in Africa

The 2025 ABH Top 20 finalists highlight Africa’s immense talent. Entrepreneurs are diversifying the economy through FinTech, AgriTech, healthcare innovations, and educational platforms. ABH provides support for social innovation, job creation, mentorship, and venture funding. With talent, technology, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship, Africa’s future is bright, competitive, and globally relevant.

Going forward, the competition between Dakar and Kigali will showcase a new generation of African leaders revolutionizing the continent and promoting innovation, sustainability, and social impact. Africa’s Business Heroes 2025 stands as a testament to the creativity, resilience, and drive of African founders, motivating the world to rethink the continent.