Africa’s Business Heroes names 20 entrepreneurs for Nairobi semi-final
Press briefing from ABH Officials during a pre summit held on Thursday, August 20,2026 Nairobi Hotel.
The Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition has selected 20 entrepreneurs from across Africa to compete in the 2026 semi-final being held in Nairobi on August 21–22.
The entrepreneurs were selected from more than 24,000 applications received from all 54 African countries, with the semi-finalists representing 12 countries and 11 sectors.
Among the entrepreneurs facing the judging panel at Nairobi Hotel on Friday is Joseph Paul, founder and chief executive officer of Dawa Mkononi from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Other entrepreneurs participating in the semi-final include David Kamugundu, chief executive officer and co-founder of eFiche, as well as Farah Emara, co-chief executive officer and co-founder of Fresh Source, based in Cairo, Egypt.
The businesses represented at the Nairobi semi-final collectively generated about $85 million in revenue in 2025, highlighting the growing contribution of African entrepreneurs to economic growth and innovation.
The semi-finalists are pitching their businesses before a panel of investors, business leaders and experienced entrepreneurs. Ten are expected to advance to the grand finale in Kigali, Rwanda, later this year.
The competition is a philanthropic initiative of the Alibaba Foundation and provides $1.5 million in annual grant funding to African entrepreneurs, alongside mentorship, visibility and access to a wider business network.
Kome Oruade-Etim, Global Programme Manager for Acumen Angels and a judge in this year’s competition, said the changing funding environment was increasing pressure on African businesses to build commercially sustainable models.
She said entrepreneurs must not only focus on solving social problems but also demonstrate strong business fundamentals while delivering social and environmental impact.
The continent, she added, needs enterprises capable of addressing persistent gaps in healthcare, energy, education and technology, while ensuring innovations are designed around the realities of African communities.
Abraham Mutian, CEO and co-founder of Kuza Point and a 2025 ABH runner-up, urged the semi-finalists to clearly communicate their business models, financial performance and growth potential.
“Sharpen your story. Know your numbers. Articulate them clearly,” Mutian advised, adding that entrepreneurs should use the competition to build lasting relationships with investors, customers, mentors and business leaders.
“Don’t just exchange business cards, build relationships,” he said, urging participants to look beyond the judging panel for potential investors, customers, partners and mentors.
Wandia Gichuru, co-founder and CEO of Vivo Fashion Group and one of the judges, said entrepreneurs must demonstrate how their businesses can expand beyond existing markets.
The Kenyan contingent includes Ikechukwu Anoke of Zuri Health, Naom Monari of Bena Care, Joseph Mungai of AceleAfrica and Louisa Gathecha of Bottle Logistics East Africa.
Other semi-finalists come from Egypt, Nigeria, Morocco, Ethiopia, South Africa, Rwanda, Tanzania, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar and Ghana, covering sectors such as agritech, healthcare, renewable energy, manufacturing, fintech, education, climate technology and technology.
The return of ABH to Nairobi is significant as the city hosted the competition’s inaugural semi-final in 2019.
The programme will culminate in the selection of the Top 10 entrepreneurs who will proceed to the grand finale in Kigali in December.
