By Obiabin Onukwugha
Four young Nigerian entrepreneurs are among the Top 2020 finalists of the 2024 edition of the Africa Business Heroes ABH prize competition.
ABH is a philanthropic programme dedicated to honouring and elevating African entrepreneurs who drive positive change across the continent. The selection of the finalists followed a rigorous evaluation process by an expert panel of judges from around the world, and they were judged to have demonstrated exceptional innovation, impact, and potential to scale their businesses.
The four Nigerians are Adewale Yusuf, CEO of Aitschool Africa; Mobolaji Ajayi, CEO of Purelife Health; Ikechukwu Anoke, CEO of Zuri Health; and Godwin Benson, CEO of Tuteria.
Adewale Yusuf, who tops the list, is the CEO and Co-Founder of AltSchool Africa, a skill-to-market platform committed to reshaping the learning landscape. Adewale emerged as a stalwart in the Nigerian tech industry, founding the highly successful pan-African tech media platform Techpoint Africa. He also co-founded TalentQL, a startup that hires, develops, and manages talent remotely for global companies, in 2020. Adewale is a mentor for Techstars, a global platform that provides investment and innovation, and currently serves on the board of Life Beyond Disability, a non-profit advocating for the rights and empowerment of persons living with disabilities in Africa.
According to a report by howwemadeitinafrica, this announcement of 20 Finalists is a significant milestone in the 2024 ABH journey, which began with 20,000 hopefuls from across Africa.
The 2024 ABH Top 20 come from 11 countries, including Nigeria, DR Congo, Kenya, Morocco, Madagascar, Ghana, Senegal, Rwanda, and Uganda, and span across 8 industries, led by Healthcare, with solid showings from Agriculture, and Education & Training, as well as representation from Financial Services, ICT, Logistics, Manufacturing and Retail.
According to the report, the Finalists will complete due diligence with PlusVc before they can advance to the next critical stage of the competition – the Semi-Final, which will be held in North Africa for the first time in its history. It will occur in Cairo, Egypt, from 27-29 September 2024.
The Semi-Final is a defining moment in the ABH programme, where Finalists have the unique opportunity to pitch their businesses to a distinguished panel of judges while also showcasing their ventures in front of a curated audience of investors, like-minded entrepreneurs, service organisations and mentors.
“We are thrilled to present the Top 20 Finalists who represent the best of African entrepreneurship. As they progress to the Semi-Final in Cairo, the Top 20 will engage with some of the most influential minds in the industry, preparing them for the next stage of their entrepreneurial journey.
“We are particularly pleased to be hosting the Semi-Final in Cairo this year as it also represents our initiative’s commitment to strengthening pan-African collaborations. Beyond pitching, the Top 20 Finalists will have a chance to engage with the Egyptian entrepreneurial ecosystem and we are excited for the potential this has for their businesses,” said Zahra Baitie-Boateng, Managing Director, Africa at Africa’s Business Heroes.
More than just a competition, the ABH Semi-Final is a platform for the Top 20 to gain invaluable exposure, connect with key stakeholders, and receive guidance that could significantly impact the trajectory of their ventures.
The 2024 ABH Semi-Final will offer a range of experiences beyond the Top 20 pitches. The event will also include training and networking opportunities with investors and key stakeholders, company visits to ABH Heroes’ businesses, and a Gala Dinner offering further opportunities for connections and to celebrate Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
This year’s Semi-Final is expected to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders, including investors, business leaders, and members of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, all of whom are committed to supporting and nurturing Africa’s next generation of business leaders. Attendees will include representatives from local ABH Heroes’ businesses like Helm, Nawah Scientific, and Sprints, as well as companies such as Alibaba Group and Transsion.
Following the Semi-Final, the Top 10 Finalists will be announced and will proceed to the Grand Finale in Kigali, Rwanda, where they will compete for their share of the $1.5 million prize pool. This Grand Finale will be a culmination of months of hard work, dedication, and perseverance, and will highlight the incredible entrepreneurial talent that Africa has to offer.