Africa Business Heroes Competition 2026 for Young African Entrepreneurs (1.5 Million USD in grant funding)

Reach us on

Applications are open for Africa Business Heroes Competition 2026. Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) is the Jack Ma Foundation’s flagship philanthropic program in Africa to support entrepreneurs. Their mission is to showcase and grow local talent who are creating positive impact in their communities and beyond, and inspire a movement of African entrepreneurship. Over a ten-year period, the program will recognize 100 African entrepreneurs and provide grant funding, training programs, and broader support for the broad African entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The ABH Prize

Africa’s Business Heroes supports talented African entrepreneurs through its annual Prize competition. Each year, ten exceptional finalists are selected to receive a share of USD 1.5 million in grant funding, with the top winner receiving up to USD 300,000.
In addition to the funding, finalists gain exclusive access to training, mentorship, publicity, and a vibrant network of like-minded African business leaders.

Africa Business Heroes Competition Benefits

Grant funds of up to $300 000
- The Top 10 finalists share a prize pool of $1.5 million in grants ranging from $100,000 to $300,000. The winner takes home $300,000; The 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up take home $250,000 and $150,000 respectively. All other 7 finalists, take home $100,000. An additional $100,000 is allocated for global immersion training.
Global Recognition and Exposure
- ABH shines a spotlight on exceptional African entrepreneurs through press releases, social media campaigns, and media coverage at every stage of the competition. The Top 10 finalists receive extensive PR opportunities, amplifying their brand and business.
Exclusive Entrepreneurial Community & Network
- Finalists join an elite community of Africa’s most impactful entrepreneurs, gaining access to networking events, collaboration opportunities, and connections with business leaders across the continent.
Mentorship from Business Icons
- ABH finalists receive one-on-one mentorship from global business leaders, investors, and industry experts, both during and after the competition, helping them refine their strategies and scale their businesses.
Targeted and Practical Training Programs
- ABH provides tailored training in financial management, marketing, intellectual property (IP) law, investment readiness, and business growth strategies. Finalists gain access to exclusive programs and partner services to strengthen their business acumen.
Valuable Business Insights & Feedback
- The application process itself is a learning journey, helping entrepreneurs refine their storytelling and pitching. Participants receive feedback and guidance at each stage from experienced business professionals and industry veterans.

Eligibility Criteria for Africa Business Heroes Competition

Founder or Co-founder – You must be the founder or co-founder of the business.
African Identity – You must be an African citizen or a direct descendant (child or grandchild) of an African citizen.
Business Presence in Africa – Your company must be registered, headquartered, and primarily operating in an African country.
Proven Market Traction – Your business must have at least three years of revenue and demonstrated market traction.

Judging Process

The multi-stage judging process ensures a thorough and fair evaluation of each applicant:

Round 1: Application Review
- Each application is independently reviewed and scored by three judges using ABH’s evaluation criteria. While previous cycles advanced the Top 50 finalists, the 2026 competition will progress the Top 100 applicants, selected based on their average scores, to the next round.
Round 2: Video Call Interviews
- Each Top 100 applicant will participate in a video interview with three seasoned business leaders for an in-depth assessment. Based on their average scores, the Top 20 finalists are selected to advance to the next stage.
Due Diligence
- A trusted third-party firm conducts due diligence on the Top 20 finalists before they advance to the Semi-Final round.
In-Person Semi-Finals
- Finalists who successfully pass due diligence will pitch in person to a distinguished panel of investors, business leaders, and industry experts, who select the Top 10 finalists.
In-Person Grand Finale
- The Top 10 finalists will pitch in front of a live audience and a high-profile panel of judges for a share of USD 1.5 million in grant funding. The event will be broadcast online and featured across ABH’s digital and social media platforms.