Empower 100, Impact Millions: Unveiling the ABH Ambition

The superheroes I find myself increasingly admiring, look like me. They are African. They possess an extraordinary ability to confront personal challenges head-on and push against the grain of their own limitations. In doing so they not only overcome adversity but also pave the way for opportunities and empowerment for others.....oh and they are young! (??)

Their subliminal capes are woven from the belief and determination that they are the ones destined to bring hope to neglected areas, the neglect of which could have detrimental effects on the continent as a whole.

With unwavering conviction in their purpose, their self-inspired bold ambition, assertive personalities, and profound understanding of the inherent vulnerabilities in entrepreneurship, render each of them formidable. Collectively, they constitute a potent force. We hail them as Heroes—Africa's Business Heroes.

"HI ANITA, THIS IS JACK..."

On November 16, 2019, a phone call initiated by Jason Pau, Executive Director of International at the Jack Ma Foundation, marked the commencement of a new chapter as a professional storyteller and redefined my advocacy for entrepreneurship in Africa. Merely two years prior, Jack Ma - the trailblazing entrepreneur who epitomises a tenacious spirit that drives innovation and serves as a beacon of inspiration for those who encounter him - had made a bold promise in Rwanda on his first visit to Africa. In that future-shaping moment, he committed to supporting 10 entrepreneurs each year for a decade, totaling 100 entrepreneurs over the span of 10 years. Thus on November 16 2019 in Accra, this commitment set in motion a chain reaction poised to make a substantial impact across the continent and beyond.

Now, here I was, on a call with Jack Ma, just a few hours after hosting the inaugural Africa Netpreneur Summit 2019. After expressing his gratitude for my contributions at the summit, Mr. Ma assigned me a task. Laden with his signature keen expectation, genuine excitement, boundless hope, and firm resolve, he advised, 'Always take pride in the story you're telling, understand why it is important to tell it, and never forget the people you're serving. I hope to see you later.

That seemingly distant "later" evolved into a significant and meaningful responsibility as the Official Host of ABH. Working alongside the dynamic, ambitious, and driven ABH team, we purposefully navigated through the challenging limitations posed by COVID, and, now, for the first time since its inaugural instalment in 2019, we were together again and I stood on stage at the 5th Anniversary Summit and then at the Grand Finale in Kigali—the birthplace of ABH.

"Always take pride in the story you're telling, understand why it is important to tell it and never forget the people you're serving. I hope to see you later."

OUR A.I – AFRICAN INNOVATION, INSIGHT & IMPACT

Day one marked the ABH 5th Anniversary Summit. At the core of this gathering was a deliberate recalibration, celebrating ABH's distinctive definition of A.I – African Innovation, African Insight, and African Impact. Through the fabulous authenticity and fluidity of their personal stories presented in a TED-style talk, the monumental segment, African Innovation, showcased how our Heroes, thinking unconventionally to address Africa's challenges, created opportunities for collective growth. Their journeys from dream to action were exemplified in their eloquent descriptions of the need to shape solutions that held them accountable for navigating and overcoming Africa's unique challenges.

Our Insight pods – a series of podcast style conversations beckoned the African Insight, which emerged as a guiding light during the summit. These discussions teased out a plethora of calls to action, urging us all to take ownership of our multi-layered narrative. The narratives of our contributors were not just stories; they were blueprints for a new chapter in African entrepreneurship. Each tale echoed the importance of understanding our challenges, finding our unique strengths, and collectively contributing to the larger narrative of progress.

The summit boasted one last distinctive design, staged as two debates between stalwarts and visionaries, aptly dubbed African Impact. Each revolved around a key theme. The first focused on the notion that entrepreneurs whose pursuit of capital for growth often clashes with investors on issues like business valuation and prioritising impact over profit. The second centered around the concept of a global versus local market focus. These debates captured the essence of the summit's dynamic, to showcase the very best of Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, while inspiring a room filled with aspiring entrepreneurs, students and captains of industry to reclaim ownership of Africa's narrative.

A NEW BEGINNING IN A GRAND ENDING

Day two unfolded with a grandeur like no other, surpassing all expectations! As the vibrant pulse of Africa's entrepreneurs reverberated during our 5th Anniversary Grand Finale, the true essence of ABH unfolded—a tapestry of laughter, tears, hope, and ambition intricately woven into an extraordinary event. The ABH narrative, though elegantly simple, bears profound implications as it spotlights 10 entrepreneurs recognized as torchbearers of Africa's global influence. These individuals, rightly dubbed our Heroes, are acknowledged for their understanding that their endeavours, ambitions, and triumphs hold the potential to empower millions across the continent and beyond.

In the presence of three esteemed judges, globally celebrated leaders Ibukun Awosika - CEO of The Chair Centre Group, Joe Tsai - Co-founder and Chairman of Alibaba Group, and Diane Karugsisi - CEO of the Bank of Kigali, our Heroes faced the daunting task of convincing this esteemed panel, in addition to a broad audience of over 7,000 registrants, why their businesses warranted the coveted grand prize of $300,000! Positioned on the most interactive stage with the enchantment of augmented reality, each Hero was dynamically projected into the very space they navigate daily, offering a profound new perspective and heightened appreciation for their journey and daily toil.

For our top three finalists; Ikpeme Neto - Wellahealth Technologies, Ayman Bazaraa – Sprints and Thomas Njeru - Pula Advisors Limited — a subsequent round table provided an opportunity for interaction, allowing them to seek insights and guidance from the judges on aspects such as failures, attitude, balance, and growth. This round not only added depth to the competition but also facilitated the judges in identifying the ultimate victor.

A DUTIFUL BURDEN ONLY WE CAN CARRY...

At the 51-minute mark of the finale, Dr. Ikpeme Neto, the founder of Wellahealth Technology in Nigeria, added a poignant punctuation to the event. He shared the significant decision to leave his high-end career in New Zealand—a moment underscored by helplessness when confronted with his ailing mother's health challenges. In his own words, "I was sitting in hospitals giving people great care, and my mum back in Nigeria started to have challenges with her healthcare. I felt, how can I be giving care to others that my mum couldn't get? All the money and success in the world didn't matter if my mother and people who look like me couldn't access good healthcare."

Dr. Neto, the ultimate victor, encapsulates the shared inspiration of our Heroes - deeply personal reasons that serve as catalysts for transformative realisations, leading to innovative solutions in varied fields like agriculture, education, sustainable energy, and clothing. These solutions serve as a testament to the dynamic impact of entrepreneurship, fostering economic development, propelling technological progress for societal benefit, and contributing to community development.

"All the money and success in the world didn't matter if my mother and people who look like me couldn't access good healthcare."

The top 10 Heroes showcased remarkable examples of entrepreneurship. Each one epitomized the essence of owning and carrying a burden unique to Africa—a responsibility borne out of understanding, living, and experiencing these challenges. They demonstrated the courage to confront these obstacles head-on, turning them into missions to be solved. In their endeavours, the ABH Top 10 (and all our over 27,000 applicants!!) have not only embraced the burdens of the hurdles confronting the continent, but also illuminated the path toward meaningful sustainable solutions.

A CALL TO OWN AND AMPLIFY MY VOICE AS A GLOBAL AFRICAN STORYTELLER

In my role as the Official Host of Africa's Business Heroes (ABH), I immerse myself in the diverse reality of Africa, working diligently to present an authentic and comprehensive narrative. This endeavor is facilitated through the compelling individual stories of our Heroes, whose profound vision and mission exemplify a collective ownership of heroism crucial for propelling Africa to the forefront of global innovation, insight, and impact.

ABH provides the perfect platform for me to present an authentic and well-rounded perspective of the continent, viewing Africa's challenges as opportunities for those who dare to dream, own and innovate to encounter the challenge. As such, just as each Hero sheds light on Africa's challenges and complexities, so do they also infuse their experiences with hope, encapsulating the triumphs of their innovations. At its core, my role aligns with activism, representing a vital responsibility of projecting the essence of our Heroes. This task relies on harnessing the authentic realities and purpose-filled ambition of our Heroes to effectively demonstrate Africa's balanced narrative.

I am tasked with projecting their individual stories to foster a collective ownership of the heroism needed to propel Africa to the forefront of global innovation, insight, and impact.

ABH provides me with the opportunity to support, celebrate, and uplift entrepreneurs, affording them the visibility they rightfully deserve. Through storytelling, we not only showcase the brilliance of African entrepreneurship but also inspire a generation to dream beyond boundaries.

Each year, I encounter a deeper confirmation that my role is an amalgamation—a fine blend of responsibility, passion, and purpose in an urgent call to unfold Africa's narrative. A narrative that is ours to own, celebrate, and amplify without apology.

Whenever I stand on the ABH stage, an inexplicably profound sense of purpose engulfs me, extending beyond the role of a mere host. To me, being a custodian of the stories that constitute a heartfelt tribute to the dreams and aspirations of remarkable individuals woven into the fabric of ABH is akin to a ministry. The passionate drive showcased on this platform emerges as a powerful force, challenging the misguided perception that Africa inherently lags behind and lacks innovative, thriving business ecosystems, and I cradle it dearly.

ABH stands not merely as a competition, but as a testament to the resilience, creativity, and limitless potential that define the African entrepreneurial spirit.

WE ARE WHAT AFRICA HAS BEEN WAITING FOR...

Years ago, if you had asked me to list 10 top African Heroes, I would have swiftly named historical figures, some of whom I knew only from a distance and most of whom I have only extensively read or watched movies and documentaries about – Nelson Mandela, Kwame Nkrumah, Wangari Maathai, Haile Selassie, Patrice Lumumba, Desmond Tutu, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Kofi Annan, Miriam Makeba. Today, if you pose the same question, I will extend the list to include Albert Munyabugingo, Ayman Bazaraa, Bola Bardet, Christina Gyisun, Ikpeme Neto, Ismael Belkhayat, Mohamed Ali, Nthabiseng Mosia, Theo Baloyi, Thomas Njeru, and all the top 10 Heroes who came before them.

Why? Because we, as a continent, stand on the shoulders of these visionary individuals who, like our forebears, relentlessly illuminate the path for future generations. They inspire them to dream big, innovate relentlessly, and contribute to the transformative narrative of a dynamic and flourishing Africa. These modern Heroes, driven by ambition, are paving the way for Africa's global dominance, showcasing the continent's greatness not only in its history but in the present and future.

What is Africa's Business Heroes all about?

Well, I say it is a testament to the resilience, creativity, and limitless potential that define the African entrepreneurial spirit. ABH in itself is a call to action, beckoning us to ensure that we lay claim to our continent, encouraging us to leave no story untold, and tasking us to ensure no dream is left unrealised.

There is a generation of ambitious young Africans coming and to think that their Heroes look like them, is wildly exciting!!!!

It's Truly Our Time!!

Watch the Grand Finale here!

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