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Africa's Business Heroes Prize Competition

Last verified 31 August 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

A pan-African prize competition awarding up to USD 300,000 in grants, plus mentorship and global exposure, to African entrepreneurs.

Provider
Jack Ma Foundation (Africa's Business Heroes)
Host country
Multiple
Deadline
7 May (annual)
Region
Africa

Applying from your country? See your edition: Kenya · Nigeria · Ghana · Ethiopia · Uganda · Tanzania · Rwanda · Angola · Mozambique · São Tomé & Príncipe · Senegal · Cameroon · Ivory Coast · Benin · Togo · DR Congo

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Review the recorded eligibility, funding and deadline information below. Confirm the current award conditions on the provider's official source.

Who can apply
African entrepreneurs aged 18 or over who are nationals of an African country, running a legally registered business operating in Africa with demonstrable revenue and impact. Applications are completed in English or French.
Funding
Grant / Prize
Study level
Professional, Entrepreneurship
Deadline
7 May (annual)

Key eligibility criteria

  • African entrepreneurs aged 18 or over who are nationals of an African country, running a legally registered business operating in Africa with demonstrable revenue and impact. Applications are completed in English or French.

Recorded funding information

  • Grant / Prize

About the Africa's Business Heroes Prize Competition (2026)

## Overview Africa's Business Heroes (ABH) is the Jack Ma Foundation's flagship philanthropic programme for African entrepreneurs, awarding grant funding, training and visibility to ten finalists each year. ## What it covers A share of up to USD 300,000 in grant funds for the top finalists, access to mentorship and training, global recognition, and membership of the ABH community. ## How to apply Register on the ABH portal and complete the online application before the annual deadline — recent cycles have closed in May. Read the application guidelines first: judges look for traction, impact and a clear growth plan.

Funding information

The funding information below is recorded in this listing; it does not establish additional covered components. Check amounts, caps, exclusions and conditions on the official source.

  • Grant / Prize

Africa's Business Heroes Prize Competition eligibility

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

  • African entrepreneurs aged 18 or over who are nationals of an African country, running a legally registered business operating in Africa with demonstrable revenue and impact. Applications are completed in English or French.

Africa's Business Heroes Prize Competition document information

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the materials the provider requests.

    How to apply for the Africa's Business Heroes Prize Competition 2026

    Follow the provider's stated process. The checks below are guidance, not additional application requirements. Any original editorial instructions remain in the description above.

    1. 1
      Check the provider's process

      Consult https://africabusinessheroes.org/en/register to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there.

    2. 2
      Check eligibility and any requested materials

      Listed eligibility: African entrepreneurs aged 18 or over who are nationals of an African country, running a legally registered business operating in Africa with demonstrable revenue and impact. Applications are completed in English or French.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist.

    3. 3
      Check dates and next steps

      Listed deadline information: 7 May (annual). Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

    Africa's Business Heroes Prize Competition deadline & application timeline

    Provider deadline information: 7 May (annual). This text cannot be safely converted to a countdown; check the official source for its meaning. The earlier milestones are optional planning suggestions only.

    1. Planning suggestion: 12 months out

      Check the current call and decide whether this opportunity fits your plans.

    2. Planning suggestion: 6 months out

      If the provider requires tests or documents that take time, plan for them using its published instructions.

    3. Planning suggestion: 3 months out

      If an application is required, review the provider's process and prepare only the materials it requests.

    4. Planning suggestion: 1 month out

      If submission is required, allow time to check your materials and any stated cutoff.

    5. Provider deadline
      7 May (annual)

      Provider deadline information: 7 May (annual). Confirm the current instructions and any cutoff or time zone on the official source; no additional time is assumed here.

    Ready to apply?

    Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

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    Frequently asked questions

    Who can apply for the Africa's Business Heroes Prize Competition?+

    African entrepreneurs aged 18 or over who are nationals of an African country, running a legally registered business operating in Africa with demonstrable revenue and impact. Applications are completed in English or French.

    What funding does the Africa's Business Heroes Prize Competition offer?+

    Listed funding: Grant / Prize. Confirm amounts, exclusions and conditions on the official source. This label does not establish any additional benefit components.

    When is the application deadline?+

    Provider deadline information: 7 May (annual). Confirm the current cutoff and any time zone on the official source; no additional cutoff or late-submission policy is assumed here.

    What documents do I need to apply?+

    No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the documents requested by the provider; requirements may differ from admission requirements.

    How do I check the application process?+

    Consult https://africabusinessheroes.org/en/register to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there. Listed eligibility: African entrepreneurs aged 18 or over who are nationals of an African country, running a legally registered business operating in Africa with demonstrable revenue and impact. Applications are completed in English or French.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist. Listed deadline information: 7 May (annual). Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

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