Jack Ma Foundation’s Philanthropic Initiative Africa’s Business Heroes Opens Applications For 8th Edition

Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH), the flagship philanthropic initiative of the Jack Ma Foundation, established by Jack Ma, the founder of China-based Alibaba Group, has opened applications for the eighth edition of its annual competition, which will distribute US$1.5 million in grant funding to African entrepreneurs building businesses across the continent. 

Launched under the theme “Defining Africa’s Future Today,” the 2026 edition aims to support founders developing solutions across sectors such as climate-smart agriculture, digital finance, healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, and emerging technologies. 

Applications for the 2026 edition are open to founders who are citizens or legal residents of an African country, lead a registered business headquartered in Africa, have demonstrated at least three years of traction, and show a commitment to positive societal impact. The sector-agnostic competition welcomes ventures across areas including food systems, climate and energy, fintech and financial inclusion, health, logistics, manufacturing, and artificial intelligence (AI). 

Now in its eighth year, Africa’s Business Heroes combines grant funding with training, mentorship, and community support for participating entrepreneurs. Each year, the program awards $1.5 million in grant funding to ten entrepreneurs while shortlisted founders gain access to capacity-building programs and a pan-African network of peers, investors, and ecosystem partners. 

“Africa’s future is being shaped by entrepreneurs who are addressing the continent’s most pressing challenges and unlocking its economic potential,” said Zahra Boateng-Baitie, Managing Director for Africa at Africa’s Business Heroes. “Beyond the USD 1.5 million in grant funding, ABH is a transformational platform that equips founders with the visibility, mentorship, and strategic support they need to scale sustainable businesses. Our commitment is to ensure that entrepreneurs are both recognized and empowered to build enterprises that create jobs, drive innovation, and fuel inclusive growth across Africa.” 

This year, ABH will expand its recognition pool by announcing a Top 100 finalists list, up from the previous Top 50, reflecting the rising number of applications and the program’s effort to highlight more African businesses. Since 2019, annual applications have grown from around 10,000 to more than 30,000.

As part of the 2026 program, ABH will expand its engagement across the continent by visiting ten African markets, prioritizing countries that have been underrepresented among its Top 10 finalists to date, including Tunisia, Namibia, and Zambia. These visits will bring together entrepreneurs, ecosystem partners, and investors through workshops, community events, and founder engagements aimed at strengthening local startup ecosystems and expanding access to the ABH platform. 

Applications for the program open in March, and ABH will kick off with online workshops and information sessions, with engagement activities continuing in April. The first round of reviews will take place in May to select the Top 100 applicants, followed by video interviews in June. Due diligence and site visits will be conducted in July to select the Top 20, before in-person semi-finals in August determine the Top 10 finalists. Finalists will then participate in engagement activities, including the Heroes’ Alibaba Immersion Trip to Hangzhou, China, ahead of coaching and preparation in October and November, with the program concluding at the ABH Summit and Grand Finale in December. 

The seventh edition of Africa’s Business Heroes concluded in December 2025 with Diana Orembe, co-founder and CEO of Tanzania-based biotech company NovFeed, being named Africa’s Business Hero. Her company converts organic waste into protein for animal feed, addressing food security and environmental sustainability challenges at the same time. The 2025 edition received more than 31,000 applications and awarded $1.5 million in grant funding to ten finalists representing seven African countries. 

Applications can be submitted here in English or French. The deadline for submissions is April 28, 2026. 

Image courtesy Africa Business Heroes website.