Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) 2026

Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) is the Jack Ma Foundation’s flagship philanthropic program in Africa to support entrepreneurs. Our mission is to showcase and grow local talent who are creating positive impact in their communities and beyond, and inspire a movement of African entrepreneurship. Over a ten-year period, the program will recognize 100 African entrepreneurs and provide grant funding, training programs, and broader support for the broad African entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) is dedicated to identifying, supporting, and inspiring the next generation of African entrepreneurs who are driving impact in their communities, tackling pressing challenges, and building a more sustainable and inclusive economy. As an inclusive initiative, ABH welcomes applications from entrepreneurs:

• across all African countries, sectors, and age groups
• with businesses that are formally registered, headquartered in Africa, and have a track record of at least three years.
• in English and French

Each year, ten outstanding finalists are selected to compete in the ABH Grand Finale pitch competition, where they showcase their businesses for a chance to win a share of $1.5 million in grant funding. Beyond funding, these finalists receive extensive exposure through high-quality video features, media coverage, and influencer collaborations that spotlight their entrepreneurial journeys and the impact they are making.

Finalists also gain lifetime access to the ABH Community – an exclusive network of like-minded entrepreneurs, investors, business professionals, and mentors. Additionally, they benefit from training programs, networking opportunities, and ongoing support to help scale their businesses and drive even greater impact.