In a remarkable showcase of African entrepreneurial talent, the Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition recently hosted 40 outstanding entrepreneurs from across the continent at Alibaba’s headquarters in Hangzhou, China.
The ABH Prize Competition, a philanthropic initiative sponsored by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy, is dedicated to supporting and highlighting African entrepreneurs who are creating positive impact in their communities. Over a ten-year period, the program aims to recognize 100 African entrepreneurs and provide them with grant funding, training programs, and broader support to fuel the long-term growth of the African entrepreneurial ecosystem.
During their immersive visit to Alibaba, the participants, including ABH top 10 Heroes from 2019 to 2023 and other members of the ABH community, engaged in a wide range of activities designed to broaden their horizons. They participated in deep dives exploring various facets of the digital economy, from cloud computing to AI-driven logistics and e-commerce. The participants also attended workshops and site visits, gaining invaluable knowledge and perspectives that they can apply to overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and scale their businesses.
One remarkable entrepreneur is Ethiopia’s Amadou Daffe, ABH top 10 finalist in 2022, who returned to Ethiopia from the United States to build a pan-African tech talent marketplace called Gebeya. Gebeya is dedicated to nurturing excellence and investing in a rigorous onboarding and upskilling process to secure top tech talents for its pool. In collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation and other partners, Gebeya co-created Mesirat, a five-year, multi-phase program to generate job opportunities for one million highly skilled gig economy workers, with a focus on women and youth.
The ABH Prize Competition has also been actively engaging with the broader African entrepreneurial community. Over the past couple of months this year, the program has hosted information sessions and community events across the continent, including in Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, and Zambia.
The ABH Prize Competition is open to entrepreneurs from all 54 African countries, regardless of sector, age, or gender. Each year since the first edition in 2019, the ABH program continues to attract applications from a diverse range of entrepreneurs from across Africa, showcasing the breadth of talent and innovation across the continent.
One of the participants, Buntu Majaja, CEO of South Africa Innovation Summit and ABH Round 1 Judge, reflects on the ABH immersion program in Hangzhou, China. He describes the experience as a transformative journey that offered invaluable insights, cultural richness, and a sense of community that will continue to inspire African entrepreneurs as they build the future of the continent.
Content
Participants were immersed in Alibaba’s cutting-edge technology in Cloud, AI, and Robotics, gaining mind-expanding insights. They learned about the business models that shaped the development of various business units under Alibaba in the digital age. Particularly inspiring were the leadership sessions, which were both informative and interactive, allowing direct engagement with Alibaba’s experts.
On the first day, participants engaged with Randy Ou, Alibaba Group Treasury Vice President. Majaja was particularly struck by Ou’s belief that great leaders are harder to find than great managers. Alibaba’s people development strategy focuses on attracting and empowering these rare leaders, emphasizing the importance of leadership in driving innovation and growth.
Culture
The program offered a deep dive into Chinese and Hangzhou culture through local cuisine and sightseeing. Touring Hangzhou’s historic West Lake, famous across China, was a highlight. This is where Jack Ma once worked as a tour guide for foreign tourists, fostering his global mindset. Participants learned about Hangzhou’s history as one of China’s ancient capitals and listened to traditional poems. Additionally, they gained insights into Alibaba Group’s corporate culture, which emphasizes shared success and the development of new leaders.
Community
Connecting with like-minded African entrepreneurs was the heart of the experience. The room reflected perspectives from all corners of Africa, with entrepreneurs from diverse sectors such as health, finance, and education. The diversity was also evident in the age range and gender parity. The ABH team created a space for open dialogue and connection, fostering lasting bonds and valuable allies in building the continent. Key pieces of wisdom echoed through the conversations, emphasizing the importance of strategic market approaches, and the power of networking.
Massive Partnership Opportunities
Majaja highlighted the tremendous potential for partnerships between Africa and China. Both regions have unique strengths and resources that can complement each other to drive growth and innovation. Building more bridges between these regions can unlock vast possibilities, making the future brighter together.
Inspiring Journey
Witnessing Alibaba’s 25-year journey was awe-inspiring. Majaja noted that this understanding cannot be gleaned from a textbook. Evolution and growth similar to those of Alibaba can also happen in Africa. “Now is Africa’s time—we are the ones we’ve been waiting for,” he declared.
Future of Innovation
Majaja believes that the future belongs to those deeply invested in creating new technological value and applying technology in novel ways. Solving real problems and ultimately improving the well-being of many people will be the hallmark of successful innovation.
The ABH 2024 Immersion and Exchange Program in Hangzhou was a transformative experience. It provided invaluable insights, cultural richness, and a sense of community that will continue to inspire the participating African entrepreneurs as they build the future of the continent.
The 2024 edition of the ABH competition kicked off in March and applications closed on June 9, 2024. The top 50 finalists will be announced by August after an intense round of assessment, followed by the selection of the top 10 in September. The final winners will be unveiled at the Grand Finale in November.
For more information about ABH 2024 edition, please visit https://africabusinessheroes.org/en/ and follow ABH on X (https://apo-opa.info/3KY3OQs), LinkedIn (https://apo-opa.info/3L1Cgda), Instagram (https://apo-opa.info/3KZTXKa), Facebook (https://apo-opa.info/3ylgNE9) and YouTube (https://apo-opa.info/3YDG5bH).
