ABH 2023 announced the top 50 candidates.
The 2023 Africa's Business Heroes (ABH) Awards contest has announced the top 50 nominees. 27.267 applications were received from all 54 African countries, the highest number since the creation of the ABH.
The ABH Contest
The Africa's Business Heroes Award Contest (ABH), a philanthropic initiative sponsored by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy to recognize and uplift African entrepreneurs, announced the 50 finalists from the 2023 edition.
With a remarkable number of 27.267 applications, the ABH registered this year the highest number of applications since its creation in 2019, reflecting the growing entrepreneurial spirit in Africa.
ABH continues to achieve a remarkable level of outreach and engagement across Africa, this year with applicants coming from all 54 African countries. West Africa stood out, representing 43% of the total applications received. Francophone countries accounted for 27% of all applications, the highest figure in ABH's history.
For the first time, a participant from the PALOP was selected, Sheila Mariza Elias Omarji Alvarado, Pedagogical Director of the Colégio Mundial in Mozambique.
Top 50 Candidates
After an intense round of evaluation by 256 judges from over 40 countries, the 50 finalists from 20 countries in 13 different sectors, led by agriculture, education and training and healthcare, were selected. Finalists are, on average, 36 years old, 38% female and 62% male.
Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt and South Africa are the countries with the most candidates in the top 50 and, for the first time, candidates from Sierra Leone are represented in the top 50, which to date comprises 33 of the 54 African countries. A panel of over 50 second-round judges will now begin interviewing these candidates to select the top 20.
Highlight for African Entrepreneurs
The ABH 2023 competition highlights the incredible potential and talent that exists across Africa. Through support from the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy, it provides a platform for African entrepreneurs to showcase their skills and innovations.
“We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all the entrepreneurs and judges who participated in this edition of the Africa's Business Heroes award competition”.
"It is an honor for us to see this overwhelming response, which is a testament to the growing potential of Africa's entrepreneurial ecosystem."
"The 50 finalists represent the incredible potential and talent that exists in Africa and we believe there are more surprises on the way for this edition."
"As our review process progresses and our series of fifth anniversary events unfold, we invite all of our supporters to stay connected and follow the ABH closely."
said Jason Pau, Executive Director of International Programs at the Jack Ma Foundation.
The Next Steps
This year, all 50 finalists will be invited to participate in the Alibaba Netpreneur Masterclass Global Edition 2023, which will be held online by Alibaba Global Initiatives (AGI) between the end of July and the end of August, to gain knowledge on how to leverage digital technology. to drive the growth of their companies.
The 20 finalists of the ABH 2023 contest will be announced in July and the 10 finalists in September. The return of a Grand Final and a full-scale Summit, during which the top 10 candidates will present their proposals live to legends of the business world in an attempt to secure their share of the final prize, is scheduled for 23 and 24 November 2023, in Kigali, Rwanda.
Impact of the ABH
Every year, the ABH highlights exceptional participants through traditional media and social media, including significant exposure to the 10 finalists through the ABH Show, which presents the ABH journey of the 10 finalists from the previous edition and their stories. of entrepreneurship. The first episode of the 2023 ABH Show was recently released and is available here.
As part of its fifth anniversary, the ABH will this year publish a fifth anniversary impact report to show the growth and impact of the prize competition on African entrepreneurs over the years and reflect on the nominees, winners and stakeholders. stakeholders who have been essential to its success.
Conclusion
Through sponsorship of the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy, this philanthropic initiative has fostered an entrepreneurial spirit and highlighted the exceptional talent that exists across Africa. The finalists, drawn from a variety of sectors, reflect the diversity and innovation present in African business.
With the selection of the top 20 candidates in July and the top 10 finalists in September, anticipation for the Grand Final and Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, is high. ABH provides visibility, support and valuable expertise to African entrepreneurs, driving the growth of their companies and strengthening entrepreneurship on the continent.
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Picture: © 2023 ABH
