……As 7th ABH Summit & Grand Finale ends in Kigali
Report: Mohammed A. Abu
The final pitch of the 7th Africa Business Heroes (ABH) Summit Grand Finale concluded in Kigali, Rwanda, with the judges addressing the room with clarity and care while also emphasizing that, reaching the Top 10 out of more than 32,000 applicants, was itself a remarkable achievement disclosed the event organizers.
With a Pan-African lens and a deep sense of responsibility they said, the judges announced the three finalists advancing to the final round as Diana Orembe – NovFeed (Tanzania), Abraham Mbuthia – Uzapoint (Kenya) and Adriaan Kruger – nuvoteQ (South Africa)
Diana Orembe, of NovFeed, Tanzania was crowned the ABH 2025 Grand Prize Winner, receiving USD 300,000, while, Abraham Mbuthia of Uzapoint Kenya, got USD 250,000, with Adriaan Kruger of NuvoteQ, South Africa, on his part also went home with USD 150,000.00
Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) is the Jack Ma Foundation’s flagship philanthropic program in Africa to support entrepreneurs. The ABH’s 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.
For the 2025 edition, Ten exceptional entrepreneurs selected from more than 32,000 applications across all 54 African countries, presented not only businesses, but bold visions for the continent’s future.
Powered by the Jack Ma Foundation, Alibaba Philanthropy, and support from the Rwanda Development Board, the 7th Edition of the event was also strengthened by Catalyst sponsors, Gebeya Bank of Kigali, Jasiri, and Inkomoko, whose partnership helped extend the Summit’s reach and deepen its impact.
Event Outreach Partners
They included, TN Rwanda, Hanga Pitchfest, BPN Rwanda, Impact Hub Kigali, African Leadership University, Carnegie Mellon University–Africa, Kepler College, and Norrsken Africa, who had mobilized entrepreneurial communities across the continent.
With additional support from Kabisa and Kozo Kigali, who ensured seamless mobility and hospitality, making the shared effort turn vision into reality proving that Africa’s entrepreneurial future is built together.
Opening the programme, Anita Erskine, ABH’s Official Host, commanded the room with warmth and authority. She reminded the audience that the finalists were already heroes—leaders carrying the hopes of communities, industries, and generations.
In a moment that echoed through the hall, the audience joined her in a shared declaration: “We put the power in your hands.”
From healthcare and agriculture to manufacturing, fintech, logistics, and biotechnology, the Top 10 reflected the diversity and urgency of the solutions Africa needs now. Every pitch carried its own weight, rooted in lived experience, tested through execution, and driven by a clear vision for scale and impact.
What stood out was not hype, but substance: businesses built with discipline, traction, and a clear understanding of the problems they exist to solve.
Wycliffe Omondi — BuuPass (Kenya)
Opened the competition with a bold vision to digitize Africa’s intercity transport system, showcasing scale, traction, and continental ambition
Adriaan Kruger — nuvoteQ (South Africa)
Closed the pitches with a forward-looking solution focused on secure digital systems and trust-driven governance.
Diana — NovFeed (Tanzania)
Presented cutting-edge biotechnology transforming organic waste into sustainable animal feed.
Abraham Mbuthia — Uzapoint (Kenya)
Demonstrated how digitizing SME operations unlocks credibility, financing, and long-term growth.
The remaining seven finalists were met with sustained applause and recognition as some of the most promising entrepreneurs on the continent today.
Diane Mukasahaha — DIKAM (Rwanda)
Showcased large-scale textile manufacturing rooted in local production, job creation, and industrial transformation
Siny Samba — Le Lionceau (Senegal)
Reimagined baby nutrition using local crops, addressing malnutrition while empowering women across the value chain.
Baraka Chijenga — Kilimo Fresh (Tanzania)
Highlighted how reducing food loss through smart logistics is improving farmer incomes and strengthening food systems.
Janet Kuteli — Fortune Credit (Kenya)
Presented a financial model built on dignity and trust, enabling underserved entrepreneurs — especially women — to access credit and grow.
Jean Lobe Lobe — Waspito (Cameroon)
Delivered one of the most emotional pitches of the day, sharing how personal loss inspired a platform expanding access to quality healthcare.
Gohar Zaki, Suplyd (Egypt)
Revealed the Hidden power of supply chains, building digital infrastructure for restaurants at scale.
In his remarks, Jerry Yang, Co-Founder of Yahoo! and ABH Judge, offered a grounded and thoughtful reflection. On his first visit to Rwanda, he spoke of Africa not as a continent catching up, but one leaping forward—building real companies with clarity, discipline, and resilience
The Finalist Roundtable
In an intimate roundtable, the Top Three moved beyond pitch decks and metrics to reflect on leadership, resilience, and the realities of building.
They spoke candidly about integrity, rejection, mentorship, leadership culture, and the courage it takes to keep going, offering the audience rare insight into the mindset behind sustainable 11entrepreneurship.
SOURCE
ABH Newsletter
