20 entrepreneurs advance to Africa’s Business Heroes 2025 Semi-Finals of its annual prize competition, an initiative of Alibaba Philanthropy.
The event will take place in Dakar, Senegal, on September 10–11, 2025, marking the first time the program is hosted in a Francophone country.
Now in its seventh edition, ABH supports entrepreneurs across the continent with grant funding of up to $300,000 per founder, mentorship, and access to international networks.
This year, the competition received nearly 32,000 applications, narrowed down to 20 semi-finalists through rigorous interviews and due diligence.
Senegal is experiencing 8.6% GDP growth and will host the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, further cementing its reputation as an emerging hub for business and talent.
This year’s Semi-Finals are supported by local sponsors Wave, Sonatel, and InTouch Group, alongside ecosystem partners Impact Hub Dakar, SenStartup, Ignite.E, and African Leadership University (ALU).
The 2025 cohort reflects Africa’s dynamic innovation landscape, with businesses spanning healthtech, fintech, agritech, education, foodtech, logistics, textiles, mining, and sustainability.
The finalists cut across nine countries, with strong representation from Kenya (5), Tanzania (3), South Africa (3), Senegal (2), Egypt (2), Rwanda (2), and one each from Nigeria, Uganda, and Cameroon.×
Startups shortlisted for the 2025 ABH Semi-Finals are:
- nuvoteQ (South Africa): A healthtech company developing digital solutions to improve healthcare delivery and data management.
- Kilimo Fresh Foods Africa (Tanzania): An agritech venture tackling food security through efficient fresh produce distribution and supply chain management.
- Kosmotive (Rwanda): A women-focused healthtech startup offering maternal health solutions and products for women’s empowerment.
- Uzapoint Technologies (Kenya): Provides digital tools for SMEs to streamline operations and enhance business efficiency.
- NovFeed (Tanzania): A biotech-driven agritech innovator producing sustainable alternative protein feeds.
- Suplyd (Egypt): A foodtech supply chain platform modernizing procurement and distribution for restaurants and retailers.
- Fortune Credit (Kenya): A fintech company expanding microfinance access to underserved small businesses and households.
- Waspito (Cameroon): A telemedicine platform enabling virtual healthcare consultations across communities.
- BluLever Education (South Africa): An edtech startup focused on vocational skills training to bridge youth unemployment gaps.
- Kwanza Tukule Foods (Kenya): A food tech company building efficient food distribution systems for informal urban markets.
- Kunda Kids (Uganda): An edtech venture producing children’s media content rooted in African culture.
- CredPal (Nigeria): A fintech platform increasing credit access and payment flexibility for consumers and businesses.
- CheckUps Medical Center (Kenya): A healthcare-fintech hybrid offering accessible medical services with innovative financing options.
- DIKAM Ltd (Rwanda): A textile enterprise empowering women and youth through garment production and entrepreneurship.
- Poultry Sync (Egypt): An agritech solution improving poultry farming sustainability through smart monitoring tools.
- SAWA by Shop Me Away (Senegal): A logistics and digital platform simplifying e-commerce shipping and delivery across borders.
- Mwamba Mining (Tanzania): A mining venture integrating sustainability practices in small-scale mineral extraction.
- Le Lionceau (Senegal): A foodtech company producing locally made, nutritious infant food products.
- Franc Group (South Africa): A fintech startup providing digital wealth management and investment solutions.
- BuuPass (Kenya): A transport-tech platform digitizing ticketing systems for buses and other transit operators.
Read also: Central Bank of Kenya scraps preferential borrowing terms for bank staff
What will happen in Dakar
The 20 semi-finalists will pitch their businesses to a panel of judges, including Hasan Haidar (Managing Director, PlusVC), Moulaye Taboure (CEO of ANKA and former ABH Top 10 Hero), and Jason Pau (Vice President, Alibaba Group, and Executive Director at the Jack Ma Foundation), for a chance to join the Top 10 Heroes at the Grand Finale later this year.
Winners will share $1.5 million in funding and gain global visibility as part of ABH’s mission to showcase and scale Africa’s entrepreneurial talent.
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