Rwanda is hosting the Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) awards, a premier event celebrating entrepreneurship across the continent, bringing together more than 1,000 entrepreneurs, investors, advisors, and development experts.
The two-day event, held Dec. 12–13, 2025, marks the seventh edition of the competition, which was founded by Chinese billionaire Jack Ma through his Alibaba Foundation after his first visit to Africa in 2017. The awards aim to recognize innovative entrepreneurs whose businesses create jobs, solve local challenges, and drive economic growth.
Juliana Kangeli Muganza, deputy CEO of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), said the event highlights the importance of entrepreneurship and taking initiative early.
“Entrepreneurship is not just a goal; it is a common language across the continent,” Muganza said. “It reminds us that youth, women, and entrepreneurs do not wait for opportunities—they create them.”
This year, 10 finalists were selected from more than 32,000 applicants for their projects, competing for prizes ranging from $100,000 to $300,000. Zahra Baitie Boateng, CEO of Africa’s Business Heroes, said the finalists have collectively created more than 120,000 jobs and positively impacted over 40 million people across Africa through their services and innovations.
“Dreams have become reality,” Boateng said. “Entrepreneurs come from every corner of Africa, working across agriculture, technology, and manufacturing. They are building the Africa we all want.”
Muganza emphasized Rwanda’s role as a growing hub for entrepreneurship and innovation. She said Kigali’s selection to host the awards for the third time out of seven editions reflects the shared vision between the government and ABH that entrepreneurship is more than a development tool—it is a driver of meaningful change.
“Hosting these awards is no accident,” Muganza said. “It reinforces our belief that entrepreneurship can be a powerful engine for transformation.”
Chinese Ambassador Gao Wenqi praised the awards for their transformative impact on the continent since their inception in 2019.
“Past winners have become influential leaders across Africa,” Gao said. “The growing number of applicants demonstrates the continent’s economic potential and the bright future of African entrepreneurship.”
The Africa’s Business Heroes awards officially began in 2019 and have become a key platform for recognizing African talent, fostering innovation, and inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs across the continent.
