Africa Business Heroes Competition 2026 for African Entrepreneurs ($1.5 million prize) – YOA

Deadline: April 28, 2026

Applications are open for the Africa Business Heroes Competition 2026 for African Entrepreneurs. The Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) is the Jack Ma Foundation’s flagship philanthropic program in Africa to help entrepreneurs. Their mission is to showcase and develop native expertise who’re creating optimistic affect of their communities and past and encourage a motion of African entrepreneurship.

Over a ten-yr interval, this system will acknowledge 100 African entrepreneurs and supply grant funding, coaching applications, and broader help for the broad African entrepreneurial ecosystem. Beyond funding, these finalists obtain in depth publicity by means of excessive-high quality video options, media protection, and influencer collaborations that highlight their entrepreneurial journeys and the affect they’re making.

Benefits

• Grant funds of as much as $300,000
  • The Top 10 finalists share a prize pool of $1.5 million in grants starting 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 different 7 finalists, take home $100,000. An further $100,000 is allotted for international immersion coaching.
• Global Recognition and Exposure
  • ABH shines a highlight on distinctive African entrepreneurs by means of press releases, social media campaigns, and media protection at each stage of the competitors. The Top 10 finalists obtain in depth PR alternatives, amplifying their model and enterprise.
• Exclusive Entrepreneurial Community & Network
  • Finalists be part of an elite neighborhood of Africa’s most impactful entrepreneurs, getting access to networking occasions, collaboration alternatives, and connections with enterprise leaders throughout the continent.
• Mentorship from Business Icons
  • ABH finalists obtain one-on-one mentorship from international enterprise leaders, traders, and trade specialists, each throughout and after the competitors, serving to them refine their methods and scale their companies.
• Targeted and Practical Training Programs
  • ABH supplies tailor-made coaching in monetary administration, advertising, mental property (IP) legislation, funding readiness, and enterprise progress methods. Finalists acquire entry to unique applications and associate providers to strengthen their enterprise acumen.
• Valuable Business Insights & Feedback
  • The application course of itself is a studying journey, serving to entrepreneurs refine their storytelling and pitching. Participants obtain suggestions and steerage at every stage from skilled enterprise professionals and trade veterans.

Eligibility

• Applicant have to be the founder or co-founding father of the enterprise.
• You have to be an African citizen or a direct descendant (child or grandchild) of an African citizen.
• Your firm have to be registered, headquartered, and primarily working in an African nation.
• Your enterprise will need to have a minimum of three years of income and demonstrated market traction.

Application

Click here to apply

For extra info, go to Africa Business Heroes Competition.