Diana Orembe, co-founder of Tanzania-based biotech company NovFeed, won the top prize of $300,000 (approximately Rwf 437 million). NovFeed converts food waste into sustainable fish feed, helping smallholder farmers reduce costs while increasing yields and profitability. Orembe's solution has already benefited more than 2,000 farmers, demonstrating the practical impact of biotechnology on African aquaculture.
Second place went to Adriaan Kruger of South Africa, founder of nuvoteQ, a digital platform for clinical trials that strengthens Africa's healthcare research capacity. The South African pocketed $250,000 (Rwf 364 million) in grant funding for his venture.
Abraham Mbuthia from Kenya, founder and CEO of Uzapoint Technologies, finished third, receiving $150,000 (Rwf 218 million). His company provides digital infrastructure to over 3,500 SMEs and facilitates more than $200 million in transactions. The remaining seven finalists each received US$100,000, bringing total grants awarded to $1.5 million.
'These entrepreneurs are not only innovating and creating jobs within their sectors; but are inspirational examples of resilience and execution,' said Jason Pau, International Executive Director of the Jack Ma Foundation, during the awards ceremony in Kigali.
This year's top ten finalists, selected from over 32,000 applicants, represented seven African nations and a variety of high-impact sectors. Kenya had three finalists: Wyclife Onyango of BuuPass (transport and digital ticketing), Janet Kuteli of Fortune Credit (fintech), and Abraham Mbuthia of Uzapoint Technologies.
Rwanda was represented by Diane Mukasahaha of DIKAM Ltd, a textile enterprise empowering women and youth. Tanzania's Baraka Chijenga of Kilimo Fresh Foods Africa joined Orembe in showcasing AgriTech innovation. Other finalists included Siny Samba of Senegal, Gohar Said of Egypt, and Jean Lobe Lobe of Cameroon.
The summit, themed 'Defining Africa's Future Today,' brought together over 1,000 entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders. Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang, Nigerian banker Ibukun Awosika, and Diane Karusisi, CEO of the Bank of Kigali, served on the judging panel. Yang praised Kigali as a hub for Africa's future, noting that the event highlighted the continent's problem-solving spirit.
'This is my first time to Rwanda [and] what a joy it is to start here in Kigali; to see the focus, the intention and forward-looking' nature of the entrepreneurs, said Yang.
The Africa's Business Heroes competition, organised by the Jack Ma Foundation since 2019 and supported by Alibaba Philanthropy, aims to recognise 100 outstanding African entrepreneurs over a ten-year period through grant funding, training and ecosystem support. Since its launch, the initiative has received more than 150,000 applications.
Rwanda hosted the ABH finale in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board, which congratulated the winners and lauded the platform for convening innovators from across Africa.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
