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2020 Top10 Finalist
INTRODUCTION
The 2020 ABH Competition application period 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
Due to the combined efforts from all our partners, our 2020 call for application saw ~22,000 applications
submitted on the Africa’s Business Heroes online portal.
KEY STATS
~22,000
applications received during the application period
18%
of applicants applied in French providing notable increase in Francophone African participation
54
We received applications from all 54 African Countries giving us continent wide coverage
37
average age of all applicants who ranged from 19 years old to 82 years old
50%
of our Top 50 Finalists were female, which ensured gender diversity throughout the competition
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.
Final Round: The Grand Finale
on 28th and 29th November, our Top 10 finalists pitched via a hybrid event to our panel of renowned business legends: Ibukun Awosika - Chairwoman of First Bank Nigeria, Strive Masiyiwa - Founder & Executive Chairman of Econet Group, Lucy Peng - Executive Chairwoman of Lazada Group and Joe Tsai - Chairman of Alibaba Group.

The finalists participated in a 2 round Finale. After all ten finalists pitched, the Judges selected the Top 4 finalists to move on to the final stage: the Round Table where the judges had a deep dive with the final four: Chebet Lesan, Diarra Gueye, Ethel Mumpambwa and Oluwasoga Oni.

After the round table, the Judges debilitated to determine the Final Top 3 and the Grand Prize winner: Chebet Lesan.
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 Sean Tong – 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 & PRIZE DISTRIBUTION
Our 2020 Top 10 Heroes come from 8 countries, are 50% female and from 6 sectors. They are:
1
st
PRIZE
WINNER
Chebet Lesan
Founder & CEO of BrightGreen
Renewable Energy
$300,000
MORE
2
nd
PRIZE
WINNER
Oluwasoga Oni
CEO & Co-Founder of
Mdaas Global
$250,000
MORE
3
rd
PRIZE
WINNER
Ethel Mupambwa
Co-Founder and CEO of
Moneymart
People's Choice Award
1st PLACE
$150,000
MORE
OTHER FINALISTS
Abdulai A Dasana
Co-Founder & COO of Amaati Company Limited
MORE
Mame Diarra Bousso Gueye
CEO & Founder of Diarrablu
2nd ROUND Finalist
MORE
Cyrille Nkontchou
Founder & Chairman of Enko Education
MORE
Aboubakar Karim
CEO & Founder of INVESTIV
People's Choice Award
2ndnd PLACE
MORE
Axel Emmanuel Gbaou
CEO & Founder of Le Chocolatier Ivoirien
MORE
Dr. Emma Naluyima Mugerwa
Founder of MST Junior School
People's Choice Award
3rd PLACE
MORE
Joan Rukundo Nalubega
CEO & Founder of Uganics
MORE
All other finalists received $100,000
Throughout my ABH journey, I have made important connections, received great and instrumental feedback. Most importantly, I have been challenged, which has helped my growth. I've learned a lot from the judges and my fellow finalists, and I've already started to implement some of these learnings at Uganics, which has already helped to improve our performance. I wish all entrepreneurs would get the opportunities ABH provides.
Joan Rukundo Nalubega
CEO & Founder of Uganics
2020 ABH Top 10 Hero