The Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition has announced the 20 entrepreneurs who will advance to the 2026 Semi-Final, set to take place in Nairobi on August 21–22.
The finalists were selected from an expanded Top 100 cohort drawn from more than 24,000 applications received from entrepreneurs across all 54 African countries.
The selection process involved interviews conducted by three-person judging panels, assessing candidates on leadership, innovation, impact, scalability and commercial strength. ABH also conducted on-the-ground visits to businesses that advanced, alongside comprehensive due diligence by PlusVC.
The 20 entrepreneurs represent 12 African countries and 11 sectors, with women accounting for 40 per cent of the cohort. Collectively, their businesses generated approximately $85 million in 2025.
The businesses operate across sectors including agriculture and agritech, healthcare, manufacturing, climate technology, financial services, education, energy and technology.
ABH said its site visits remain an important part of the selection process because they allow judges to assess the operational strength of businesses beyond written applications and pitches.
The visits also provide insight into founders’ leadership, team capacity, customer demand and the impact their enterprises are creating within their communities.
The 20 semi-finalists will pitch their businesses before a panel of experienced entrepreneurs, investors and ecosystem leaders, with 10 expected to progress to the next stage of the competition.
The judging panel includes Kome Oruade-Etim, Global Program Manager for Acumen Angels and former West Africa Lead for Acumen Academy; Wandia Gichuru, Co-founder and CEO of Vivo Fashion Group; Thomas Njeru, Co-founder and CEO of Pula Advisors and a 2023 ABH Top Three finalist; and Jason Pau, Executive Director (International) at the Jack Ma Foundation.
Nairobi’s hosting of the 2026 Semi-Final marks a return to the city where ABH held its inaugural Semi-Final.
The city has grown into a major African hub for technology, entrepreneurship and investment, bringing together startups, investors, universities, innovation hubs and development institutions.
This year’s Semi-Final will feature a larger investor audience, providing entrepreneurs with opportunities to connect with potential funders and strategic partners.
Beyond the competition, ABH will also facilitate international exposure for entrepreneurs through its Hangzhou learning and market-access trip scheduled for September 14–18, 2026.
Approximately 40 participants from more than 10 African countries are expected to take part in the China programme, gaining exposure to technology, commerce and entrepreneurial ecosystems.
The ABH Prize Competition is a philanthropic initiative of Alibaba Philanthropy designed to identify and support promising African entrepreneurs by providing funding, mentorship, training and global exposure.