Africa’s Business Heroes Prize 2026 (Win up to $300,000 for African Entrepreneurs)

The Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition is one of the largest entrepreneurship competitions in Africa. The program is a flagship philanthropic initiative of the Jack Ma Foundation designed to identify, support, and inspire outstanding African entrepreneurs who are creating positive impact in their communities.

Each year, the competition selects the Top 10 entrepreneurs from across Africa to compete for funding, mentorship, and international recognition. The finalists share $1.5 million in grant funding to help scale their businesses and expand their impact.

Program Overview

• Program: Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize
• Organizer: Jack Ma Foundation
• Eligibility: African entrepreneurs
• Funding: $1.5 million total grant funding
• Participants: Top 10 finalists each year

The competition is open to entrepreneurs from all 54 African countries and accepts businesses from any industry sector.

Prize Funding

The total prize pool of $1.5 million is distributed among the top finalists.

• 1st Prize: $300,000
• 2nd Prize: $250,000
• 3rd Prize: $150,000
• 7 additional finalists: $100,000 each

Finalists may also receive additional training and development support as part of the program. (Africa’s Business Heroes)

Key Benefits

Participants receive more than just financial support.

• Access to mentorship from global business leaders
• International media exposure
• Training and investment readiness programs
• Networking with investors and entrepreneurs
• Membership in the ABH entrepreneurial community

The program aims to build a strong network of African entrepreneurs and help scale businesses that drive economic growth and social impact.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet several requirements.

• Must be an African national or of African descent
• Must be the founder or co-founder of the business
• The business must be registered and operating in Africa
• The company must have at least three years of revenue history
• The business should demonstrate positive social or economic impact

Entrepreneurs from all sectors, including technology, agriculture, education, healthcare, and renewable energy, are encouraged to apply.

Selection Process

The competition involves several stages of evaluation.

• Initial screening of applications
• Round 1 judging to select the Top 50 entrepreneurs
• Further evaluation to select the Top 20 finalists
• Semi-final and final pitching rounds
• Grand finale to select the Top 10 winners

Applicants are evaluated based on innovation, impact, business growth, and leadership potential.

Why This Competition Matters

Africa’s Business Heroes aims to highlight the power of entrepreneurship in solving real challenges across the continent. Since its launch in 2019, the program has supported dozens of entrepreneurs and helped them expand their businesses, create jobs, and serve millions of customers. The initiative is part of a 10-year commitment to recognize 100 African entrepreneurs, providing funding, mentorship, and global visibility for innovative business leaders.