Africa's Business Heroes

OVERVIEW

The 2020 ABH Competition ran from April 6th to June 22nd 2020. Due to the challenges of COVID-19, the ABH team actively leveraged digital platforms. Notably, we launched the applications via a virtual event that connected an audience of ~4,000 entrepreneurs with speakers in 8 countries.

Following the virtual launch, the call for application went out via social media, TV, Radio, and via our ABH Partner network.

We actively worked with our anchor partners Ashesi, Dalberg, Janngo and RiseUp to directly engage with promising entrepreneurs to support entrepreneurs both navigate COVID-19 as well as learn how to apply for the ABH Competition.

ABH 2020 ANCHOR PARTNERS

Our joint efforts led to significant results. Over the course of the application period, over 22,000 applications were submitted on the Africa’s Business Heroes online portal.

KEY STATS

22,000

applications received during the application period

We received applications from all 54 African Countries giving us continent wide coverage

50%

of our Top 50 Finalists were female, which ensured gender diversity throughout the competition

18%

of applicants applied in French providing notable Francophone African representation

average age of all applicants who ranged from 19 years old to 82 years old

20+

sectors from agriculture to renewable energy were represented

2020 SELECTION PROCESS

Once applications closed, all applications underwent a rigorous review and selection process.

Round 1 – Online Review of Applications

between 29th June 2020 and 22nd July 2020, all submitted applications were reviewed by over a 100 ABH Round 1 judges who comprised of business professionals, entrepreneurs and investors.

Utilising ABH’s criteria and scoring matrix, each application was scored by two ABH Round 1 judges. Based on the average scores of all applicants, we determined the Top 50 Finalists.

Round 2 – Video Call Interviews

during 3rd August 2020 and 15th August 2020, the Top 50 finalists had 1.5 hour video-call interviews with two Round 2 judges – senior executives, successful business people and investors/VCs - who evaluated their businesses in depth to determine the Top 20 finalists.

Round 3 - Semi-Finale Pitches

on 28th & 29th August, our Top 20 finalists pitched to a panel of judges including Fred Swaniker – Founder of African Leadership Group, Beth Alemu – Founder of Sole Rebels and Garden of Coffee among other leading entrepreneurs, investors and business professionals.

From this process we identified a shortlisted set of Finalists who then underwent due diligence with PricewaterhouseCoopers. Based on the outcome of the due diligence process by PwC, we identified our Top 10 Heroes who went on to the Grand Finale.

2020 ABH TRAINING PROGRAMS

Africa’s Business Heroes aims to provide African entrepreneurs with the tools and platform to scale and collaborate with our likeminded entrepreneurs. As such, at each stage of the competition, we provided our finalists with the chance to engage with industry experts, venture capitalists and celebrities.

Top 50 Bootcamp

Our Top 50 applicants engaged in an interactive boot camp led by industry experts on a range of topics from leadership to raising investment, they also gained insights into Round 2 and how to prepare for their interviews. Speakers included Patrick Awuah – founder of Ashesi University and Abdelhameed Sharara – founder of RiseUp

Top 20 Bootcamp

was designed to provide our Top 20 finalists an opportunity to gain inspiration and support for the Semi-Finale. The bootcamp featured Tong Xiaomeng – Venture Capitalist and Board Director of the Jack Ma Foundation and Dikembe Mutambo – NBA Hall of Famer and Philanthropist

How to Pitch Workshop

featuring two of our Round 2 judges (Elie Habib – Co-Founder of Anghami and Bertrand Assamoi – Associate Partner at Dalberg) who helped our Top 20 to prepare for the Semi-Finale.

1 on 1 Coaching

our Top 10 Heroes had the opportunity to receive 1 on 1 coaching with Anita Erskine – an award winning professional compère, actress and broadcaster - who supported the Top 10 Heroes improve their stage presence and pitch performance.

In addition to this, we’ve connected our Finalists with various mentors as well as with venture capitalist firms such as Janngo Capital and Otundi with more connections to come.

OUR 2020 TOP 10 HEROES

Our 2020 Top 10 Heroes come from 8 countries, are 50% female and from 6 sectors. They are: