Africa's Business Heroes

Welcome to the 2025 ABH Application!

We are excited that you’re applying for the ABH Prize Competition! To ensure the best chance of success, we recommend reviewing the guidelines carefully before beginning your application.

The deadline for submissions is May 23rd, 2025. You can access your application and make changes as needed before final submission.

The application is divided into six sections, and we’re here to guide you through each one.

Application Overview

Application Guidelines

PACE YOURSELF

There’s no need to complete the application all at once. We recommend starting early and reviewing all the questions in advance, so you can gather everything you need, such as the customer testimonial video, references, and financial details. This way, you’ll be well-prepared!

DOWNLOAD
THE APPLICATION FORM

For your convenience, you can download the application form and complete it at your own pace, even when you’re offline. This allows you to work on it whenever it’s most convenient for you, without the need to be connected to the internet. Simply download the form, gather the necessary information, and return to the application when you're ready to submit.

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GET KEY DOCUMENTATION READY FOR YOUR APPLICATION

To complete your application, you will need to upload two to three essential documents. Make sure to have scanned or digital versions ready for easy upload.

Personal Government-Issued ID
You’ll need one form of personal ID, such as a passport, national ID card, or voter’s card.
Business License/Registration Certificate
This document confirms the legal registration of your business with the government.

Proof of Operation for 3+ Years
If your business has not been registered for three years, provide alternative proof of operation for that period. Acceptable documents include bank statements from your company’s account, rental agreements, or similar records.

Ensure all documents are clear and legible for smooth processing.

EXPLORE THE APPLICATION

Start by answering the straightforward questions first. For those that require more time or thought, feel free to skip them and return later. You can revisit and edit your responses at any time before the final submission deadline on May 23rd, 2025.

ANSWER ALL MANDATORY QUESTIONS

Ensure you answer all questions marked with an asterisk (*) as mandatory. While you can skip them initially, these questions must be completed before you can submit your application.

MUST-READ: DO’S & DON’TS BELOW!

DO'S

Here’s what you should follow when completing your application.

DONT'S

Avoid these mistakes when completing your application.

Video Requirements

As part of your application, you are required to upload one mandatory video of yourself, the founder. Additionally, you have the option to upload two additional videos, one from a customer sharing why they purchased your product or solution and one of your team.

We strongly encourage you to begin this process early, as the founder video is a crucial part of the application. While the customer testimonial and team introduction are optional, we highly recommend you provide them to strengthen your application.

These testimonials will help strengthen your application by providing a real-world example of your business's impact.

SELF INTRODUCTION

In the MANDATORY founder video you will need to do the following:

Be authentic, this video helps our judges understand the person behind the business and your fit for the ABH prize
Speak English or French only. If you use any other language in the video, you need to either add English subtitles to the video OR verbally translate the testimonial into English or French
Keep the video within 1 minute 30 seconds or less
Record the video in a landscape (horizontal) format. You can use any device to record the video, including a smartphone (videos do NOT need to be professionally recorded)
Watch the video when you are done to ensure you can clearly hear and see yourself in the video

CUSTOMER REFERNCE (OPTIONAL)

The video is an OPTIONAL part of your application, but it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, so we encourage you to record one. Our judges love hearing from your customers. Take this opportunity to showcase your impact.

Take note of the guidelines below to help film your video:

Choose a customer that knows your business well and can speak to exactly how your business has impacted them, sharing examples where possibles
Have your customer speak English or French, if possible. If your customers do not speak English or French, you need to either add English or French subtitles to the video OR verbally translate the testimonial into English or French
Keep the video within 1 minute 30 seconds or less
Record the video in a landscape (horizontal) format, you can use any device to record the video including a smartphone (your video does NOT need to be professionally recorded)
Watch the video when you are done to ensure you can clearly hear and see your customer in the video

TEAM SHARING (OPTIONAL)

The video is an OPTIONAL part of your application, but it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, so we encourage you to record one. Meeting your teams and learning about the impact you have on those you employ helps is a highlight of the application for our judges so take this opportunity to showcase your star employees.

Take note of the guidelines below to help film your video:

Choose a team members that knows your business well and can speak to your leadership qualities and how working at your business has impacted them, sharing examples where possibles
Have your team speak English or French, if possible. If your team do not speak English or French, you need to either add English or French subtitles to the video OR verbally translate the testimonial into English or French
Keep the video within 1 minute 30 seconds or less
Record the video in a landscape (horizontal) format, you can use any device to record the video including a smartphone (your video does NOT need to be professionally recorded)
Watch the video when you are done to ensure you can clearly hear and see your team in the video

Please note videos do not have to be professionally made and you can record your video using a smartphone.

If any of the videos feature any language other than the one you are applying in, you will need to include English or French subtitles or VERBALLY translate what is said.

You can also watch this video, for more tips on how to record your video.

BEST OF LUCK
"Fortune favours the bold." - Fred Swaniker, ABH Judge
Wishing you the best as you take bold steps toward your future!

DO'S

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Start Early:Begin your application process promptly to ensure you have sufficient time to gather all necessary documents and information.

Read All Instructions Carefully:Familiarize yourself with all guidelines and requirements before starting your application to ensure compliance.

Prepare Necessary Documentation:Collect all required documents, such as identification, business licenses, and financial records, ahead of time.

Answer All Mandatory Questions:Ensure that all required fields in the application are completed to avoid delays or disqualification.

Be Authentic in Your Responses:Provide genuine and honest answers that reflect your true experiences and intentions.

Use Clear and Concise Language:Communicate your points effectively without unnecessary elaboration.

Use USD for Financial Figures:Convert your local currency into USD for all financial information, using reliable sources like xe.com for conversion rates.

Ensure Clear Audio in Videos:Before uploading, play your video to ensure the audio is clear and understandable.

Record Videos Early:Since the founder video is mandatory and the customer testimonial is highly recommended, allocate ample time to record these videos.

Seek Support if Needed:If you encounter difficulties, reach out for assistance via WhatsApp at +250 792 575 614, visit the LiveChat feature on our website for real-time support, or email info@africabusinessheroes.org.

DONT'S

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