Africa’s Business Heroes Takes 40 Entrepreneurs to China and Extends 2024 Application Deadline

KIGALI, Rwanda, May 6, 2024, Between April 20-27, Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition (www.AfricaBusinessHeroes.org), a philanthropic initiative sponsored by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy, hosted 40 participants—consisting of top 10 Heroes, other finalists, and partners from across Africa—in Hangzhou, China. Participants engaged in an immersive experience at Alibaba’s headquarters in Hangzhou and have returned to their home countries enriched with valuable insights to further enhance their entrepreneurial endeavors on the continent.

During their visit, the ABH Heroes (spanning cohorts from 2019 to 2023) participated in a wide range of activities. These included deep dives that explored various facets of the digital economy, from cloud computing, and AI-driven logistics to e-commerce villages. They participated in a series of workshops and site visits—all designed to elevate entrepreneurs to a higher level of success. The Heroes also exchanged knowledge and explored opportunities for collaboration with business leaders from Alibaba and with each other. These activities provided the participants with new knowledge and perspectives that they can potentially apply to overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and scale their businesses.

Diarra BOUSSO, Founder & Creative Director of Diarrablu and ABH 2020 top 10 Hero, who was among the participants in the trip to China, expresses her gratitude for the experience, stating: “This trip was so inspiring in so many ways. First, meeting all these entrepreneurs who are the top entrepreneurs on the African continent and spending a week together was an incredible experience. And second: being immersed in the world of Alibaba and all the companies Jack Ma and his team built over time and understanding the vision behind it was like a dream come true.”

In another exciting development, ABH is extending its deadline for 2024 entries from May 19 to June 9 to accommodate more entrepreneurs eager to participate in the competition. Candidates selected for the top 50 will gain access to a host of resources, including training, mentorship, and networking opportunities, as well as a supportive network of fellow African business leaders. US$1.5 million in grant funding will be distributed among the top 10 finalists; the first prize winner will receive an award of US$300,000.

This year, ABH has also hosted information sessions and community events across the continent to facilitate the application process and nurture a vibrant entrepreneurial community. These events have taken place in South Africa, Kenya, Zambia, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire, with upcoming sessions scheduled for Egypt, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Senegal. These events are conducted in partnership with local entrepreneur organizations and key ABH stakeholders, including judges, heroes, and partners.

To date, ABH has received applications from entrepreneurs spanning 54 African countries. Entrepreneurs from across the continent, regardless of sector, age, or gender, are invited to participate. Applications can be submitted in English or French at: https://AfricaBusinessHeroes.org/en/apply-now.

“Africa’s Business Heroes” (ABH) is taking the entrepreneurial journey to new heights by organizing a transformative trip for 40 dynamic entrepreneurs to China. This initiative, spearheaded by the Jack Ma Foundation, aims to foster cross-cultural exchanges, facilitate learning opportunities, and empower these visionaries to scale their ventures on a global scale.

The selected entrepreneurs will embark on an immersive experience in China, where they’ll have the chance to engage with industry leaders, visit innovative enterprises, and gain insights into the vibrant Chinese business landscape. This unique opportunity promises to fuel their entrepreneurial spirit and equip them with invaluable knowledge and connections to drive sustainable growth in their respective ventures.

In light of the overwhelming interest and to ensure that no deserving entrepreneur misses out on this life-changing opportunity, the application deadline has been extended to 2024. This extension provides aspiring entrepreneurs with additional time to prepare and submit their applications, ensuring that a diverse array of talents and ideas are considered for this prestigious program.

If you’re an entrepreneur driven by passion, innovation, and a commitment to driving positive change in Africa and beyond, seize this chance to be part of Africa’s Business Heroes and embark on a transformative journey to China. Apply now and join a community of trailblazers shaping the future of business in Africa and around the world.

About Africa’s Business Heroes:
The Africa’s Business Heroes Prize Competition is a philanthropic initiative sponsored by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy. It aims to support, inspire, and enable the next generation of African entrepreneurs across all sectors who are building a brighter future for the continent, by offering grant funding, training programs, and support for the development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Over 10 years, each year the ABH Prize Competition has featured 10 entrepreneur finalists as they pitch their businesses to win a share of US$1.5 million in grant money.

Individuals are also encouraged to nominate eligible entrepreneurs who they believe are creating impactful and sustainable solutions to challenging issues here: https://AfricaBusinessHeroes.org/en/nominate.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH).