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In a vibrant and colorful Africa Business Heroes Summit held ahead of the official celebration of the winners of the fifth edition of the Africa Business Heroes (ABH) Competition, Mr. Sun Lijun, a Partner of the Alibaba Partnership and Board Member of the Jack Ma Foundation, spoke about the immense impact the competition has had on entrepreneurship in Africa. He also highlighted the establishment of ABH’s headquarters in Rwanda.
He mentioned how Jack Ma’s inaugural visit to Africa in July 2017 ignited his passion for the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit present on the continent. This led to the inception of ABH in August 2018, with a ten-year mission to support African entrepreneurs, empower the young generation, create job opportunities, and drive talent development and economic progress.
Now in its fifth year, ABH has become a pivotal milestone, witnessing participation from nearly 100,000 entrepreneurs from all 54 African nations. It has also engaged over 900 esteemed entrepreneurs and investors from Africa and beyond as judges. The fusion of digital technology with entrepreneurship has unlocked opportunities for young Africans to tackle societal challenges in education, healthcare, and the economy.
Despite global challenges faced in the last two years, African entrepreneurs have demonstrated unwavering resilience. They have leveraged advanced technologies such as AI, big data, and blockchain to develop groundbreaking and inventive solutions. For example, in agriculture, entrepreneurs have harnessed data to create efficient platforms for farmers, revolutionizing the way agricultural products are sold. Others have used technology to modernize African food processing industries.
In education, innovative online virtual 3D labs have been established, enhancing the learning experience in science disciplines like physics, chemistry, and biology. In healthcare, tech-enabled diagnostic centers have been set up in communities, democratizing access to top-tier medical services. Additionally, entrepreneurs in renewable energy are creating affordable fuel bricks, reducing the financial burden of cooking and protecting forests.
The competition has attracted more attention than ever this year, with over 27,000 participants from all 54 African nations, including a record-breaking 34% representation of women. The finalists’ projects spanned critical sectors such as agriculture, education, energy, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail. Each project showcased the innovative drive that propels societal advancement and reflects Africa’s dynamic entrepreneurial spirit.
Mr. Sun Lijun highlighted Rwanda’s special place in the heart of ABH. It was Jack Ma’s visit to Rwanda in 2017 that inspired the creation of ABH, and Rwanda was also the first African host of Alibaba’s eWTP initiative. Last year, ABH established its African office in Rwanda, and Mr. Sun Lijun expressed his deepest gratitude to Rwanda for fostering a supportive environment for innovation and entrepreneurship. He also thanked the local team for their invaluable support in providing resources and services to the entrepreneurs.
In closing, Mr. Sun Lijun applauded all the competitors, recognizing their bravery and resolve.
He acknowledged that their achievements are inspiring more individuals to join the entrepreneurial journey and contribute to Africa’s growth.
The ABH competition has not only boosted the entrepreneurship spirit in Africa but has also established its headquarters in Rwanda, solidifying the country’s position as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship on the continent.
