Africa's Business Heroes

INTRODUCTION

The 2024 ABH Competition application period ran from March 3rd to May 17th, 2024. The virtual launch was followed by the ‘Meet the Heroes’ roadshow, where past ABH Heroes hosted 12 in-person information sessions across Africa, offering applicants valuable insights and guidance on their ABH journey.

To maximize outreach, the call for applications was amplified through social media, TV, radio, and our extensive ABH Partner network. By leveraging these strategic partnerships, we ensured that aspiring entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds had access to the resources, mentorship, and support needed to successfully participate in the competition.

KEY STATS

19,694

Applications received

African countries represented

13%

French applications

39%

Female applicants

2024 SELECTION PROCESS

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

Round 1 - Online Application Review

From June 1 to June 16, 2024, all eligible applications were evaluated by a panel of over 280 ABH Round 1 Judges, comprising business professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors. Three judges independently assessed each application using ABH’s criteria and scoring matrix. The Top 50 Finalists were determined based on the average scores from all judges.

Round 2 - Video Call Interviews

Between July 6 and July 20, 2024, the Top 50 finalists participated in in-depth, 1.5-hour video interviews with three Round 2 Judges-senior executives, investors, and experienced business leaders. These judges assessed the strength and impact of each business. The Top 20 finalists were selected based on their scores from this round. They then underwent a rigorous due diligence process by Plus VC before advancing to the next stage.

Round 3 - Semi-final Pitches

On September 27 and 29, 2024, the Top 20 Heroes travelled to Cairo, Egypt, to present their businesses to a distinguished panel of judges. This round took place in front of a live audience, including students, business professionals, and media representatives. The panel featured esteemed industry leaders who carefully evaluated each pitch to determine the Top 10 Heroes who advanced to the Grand Finale.

Final Round - The Grand Finale

The stage is set. The countdown has begun. On March 15, 2025, the world will witness Africa’s brightest entrepreneurs battle it out in Kigali, Rwanda for the ultimate becoming the 2024 ABH Champion! Our Top 10 Heroes will present their bold visions and business breakthroughs to an elite panel of judges, including Dr. Diane Karusisi – CEO of Bank of Kigali, Ibukun Awosika – Founder of The Chair Centre Group, and other celebrated industry leaders.

This isn’t just another pitch competition-it’s a spectacle of innovation, passion, and perseverance. With a cutting-edge augmented reality stage, our finalists will bring their businesses to life in ways never seen before. After the first round of pitches, only the Top 3 will advance to a high-stakes roundtable discussion, where our judges will dig deep into their stories, challenges, and game-changing ideas. Then comes the grand moment-who will rise above the rest and be crowned the 2024 ABH Champion?

The excitement is real. The stakes are high. Don’t miss a second of it!

WATCH A VIDEO RECAP OF THE MOST EXCITING MOMENTS OF THE 2023 GRAND FINALE:

2024 ABH TRAINING PROGRAMS

At ABH, we go beyond just a competition and are a platform that empowers entrepreneurs with the tools, knowledge, and networks needed to grow their businesses, collaborate, and inspire others across Africa. At every stage of the competition, our finalists gain exclusive access to training programs, industry experts, venture capitalists, and a thriving entrepreneurial community.

Bootcamps

Both the Top 50 and Top 20 Heroes participated in dynamic ABH Bootcamps, designed to foster networking, learning, and mentorship. These interactive sessions provided invaluable insights from ABH partners, judges, and former finalists. Additionally, a media training session led by APO Group equipped finalists with the skills needed to maximize their exposure during and after the competition.

1-on-1 Coaching:

Our Top 10 Heroes received personalized 1-on-1 coaching from semi-final judges ahead of their final pitches. These coaching sessions helped finalists refine their presentations, strengthen their business strategies, and gain the confidence needed to compete at the highest level.

Scale Up Program

The ABH ScaleUp Program was a quarterly masterclass series where ABH Heroes shared expert insights on key entrepreneurial topics. Carefully curated to provide practical knowledge, these sessions covered areas such as expansion strategies, fundraising for social enterprises, impact measurement, building company culture, and leveraging technology for innovation.

Beyond these programs, ABH continues to connect Heroes with mentors, business professionals, and venture capital firms, providing ongoing support and opportunities to help them scale their businesses. And this is just the beginning connections and resources are on the way!

In addition to this, we’ve connected our Heroes with various mentors, business professionals, and venture capital firms with more connections to come!