A Nigerian and Founder/CEO, LifeBank, Temie Giwa-Tubosun; an Egyptian and Founder/CEO, Nawah-Scientific, Omar Sakr; a Rwandan and Founder, Water Access, Christelle Kwizera; and others Saturday emerged top winners of the first annual Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative (ANPI), otherwise tagged Africa’s Business Heroes grand finale awarding $1 million in prize money to 10 entrepreneurs from across Africa.
The breakdown of the top three finalists indicated that Giwa-Tubosun won the star prize of
$250,000; followed by Sakr with second place, winning $150,000; and Kwizera winning $100,000 as the third place prize.
The remaining finalists, who each received $65,000 include: CEO, Mumm, Waleed Abd El Rahman (Egypt); Co-founder, Thrive Agric, Ayodeji Arikawe (Nigeria); Founder/CEO, J-Palm, Mahmud Johnson (Liberia); Co-founder/CEO, UZURI K&Y, Kevine Kagirimpundu (Rwanda); Founder, Black Swan, Tosan J. Mogbeyiteren (Nigeria); Co-founder, DrugStoc, Chibuzo Opara, (Nigeria); and Co-founder/CEO, Afrikrea, Moulaye Taboure (Cote D’Ivoire).
The ANPI is a flagship initiative of the Jack Ma Foundation, created by Jack Ma after his first trip to Africa in 2017. The aim of the prize is to support and inspire the next generation of African entrepreneurs who are building a more sustainable and inclusive economy for the future.
In its inaugural year, nearly 10,000 entrepreneurs from 50 countries across the continent applied. The Jack Ma Foundation has committed to running the competition for 10 years till 2028.
The finale event dubbed “Africa’s Business Heroes” was held in Accra in Ghana, where the top 10 finalists pitched their businesses directly to four prestigious judges including the Founder of Alibaba Group and the Jack Ma Foundation, Jack Ma; the Founder/Executive Chairman of Econet Group, Strive Masiyiwa; the Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria and Founder/CEO of The Chair Centre Group, Ibukun Awosika; and the Executive Vice Chairman of Alibaba, Joe Tsai.
“It was an incredible honour to be named Africa’s Business Hero. I was truly inspired by my fellow winners at today’s Netpreneur Summit.
“The Africa Netpreneur Prize will give me the resources to grow LifeBank and expand our presence in Nigeria and throughout the rest of Africa.
“I look forward to continuing my journey to solve problems and make a significant impact on the future of Africa,” said Giwa-Tubosun at the event.
In his remarks, Jack Ma said: “The finalists who competed in ‘Africa’s Business Heroes’ should be an inspiration for Africa and for the world. Each of these entrepreneurs looked at big challenges facing their communities, and saw them as opportunities.
“It is my strong belief that entrepreneur heroes, like these finalists, will change the world – creating companies that drive inclusive growth and opportunity for the continent. Everyone is a winner tonight.”
Also speaking at the event, Masiyiwa said the competition demonstrated ultimate entrepreneurial spirits among Africans.
“This competition demonstrates the overwhelming entrepreneurial talent that exists across Africa. I’m very excited about the future of industry and entrepreneurship for this continent.
“The top 10 truly show the limitless potential of African business,” he said.
To Awosika, it’s an awesome experience with each entrepreneurs addressing specific African problems with a specific African solution in a fresh way.
According to her, “What really struck me about the finalists was that they each addressed specific African problems with a specific African solution in a fresh way, leveraging technology that wasn’t available previously.
“If this is an indication of the future of entrepreneurship on the continent, then Africa’s future looks bright.”
‘Africa’s Business Heroes’ would be televised in a two-hour special throughout Africa. The journeys of the finalists as well as their pitches and business insights from the judges would all be included in this exciting television event.
You could watch ‘Africa’s Business Heroes’ on the following dates and channels:
December 13 – ROK 3 on DSTV
December 14 – NOVELA and Sports Focus on StarTimes.
Check your local listings for specific channel and airing times.
The initiative would host a pitch competition where 10 finalists from across the continent would compete for $1 million in total prize money every year through 2028.
All entrepreneurs across Africa are encouraged to apply. Entries for next year’s prize would open in the first half of 2020.
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