Africa’s Business Heroes Names 10 Finalists for $1.5 Million Kigali Finale

Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) has narrowed its 2026 competition to 10 finalists who will compete for a share of US$1.5 million in grant funding at the Grand Finale in Kigali, Rwanda, in December.

The Top 10 were selected from 20 semi-finalists following two days of live pitches and judging in Nairobi on 21 and 22 August. The finalists represent eight African countries and businesses spanning healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, enterprise technology, climate technology and education.

The finalists are Salma Tammam of REME-D from Egypt; Ahmed Shaaban of Simplex from Egypt; Kelvin Umechukwu of Bumpa from Nigeria; Naom Monari of Bena Care from Kenya; Louisa Gathecha of Bottle Logistics East Africa from Kenya; Samson Fentaye of Thur Biotech Manufacturing from Ethiopia; Jess Roussos of BluLever Education from South Africa; Joseph Paul of Dawa Mkononi from Tanzania; Gildas Zodome of BIO PHYTO from Benin; and Appessika Adanin Laurent Koffi of Green Agro Valley from Côte d’Ivoire.

$1.5 Million at Stake

The 10 finalists will compete for US$1.5 million in grant funding at the 1–2 December Grand Finale. The overall winner will receive US$300,000, while the first and second runners-up will receive US$250,000 and US$150,000 respectively. The remaining seven finalists will each receive US$100,000. ABH has also allocated an additional US$100,000 for global immersion training. Beyond the funding, finalists receive mentorship, training and access to the ABH network of entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders.

Businesses Across Key Sectors

The 2026 finalists reflect a wide range of businesses addressing problems in areas including healthcare, agriculture, education, manufacturing and enterprise technology.

Kenya has two finalists in Naom Monari of Bena Care and Louisa Gathecha of Bottle Logistics East Africa. Egypt also has two representatives through Salma Tammam of REME-D and Ahmed Shaaban of Simplex.

South Africa is represented by Jess Roussos, founder of BluLever Education, while Nigeria's finalist is Kelvin Umechukwu, founder of Bumpa. Tanzania, Ethiopia, Benin and Côte d’Ivoire each have one finalist.

The selection follows a multi-stage process that began with applications from entrepreneurs across Africa. ABH moved the 2026 competition from the Top 100 to the Top 20 before due diligence and the in-person semi-finals in Nairobi. The Top 10 will now advance to the final stage in Kigali. The Grand Finale will determine the three highest-ranked entrepreneurs and distribute the remaining grants among the other finalists, bringing the 2026 competition to its final stage.