Are you an aspiring entrepreneur looking to grow your business in Africa but with limited resources? After visiting Africa, Jack Ma said, “At my age, the only thing I can do is support a lot of entrepreneurs in Africa. They can start their dream; they can start their journey and change their continent.” This was when the African Business Heroes organization (ABH) was started. This is a non-profit organization aimed at empowering African entrepreneurs and supporting the growth of their businesses.
How Does ABH Support African Entrepreneurs?
With poverty and a lack of resources, many Africans have business ideas which cannot be fulfilled. ABH provides entrepreneurs with a platform to showcase their businesses and connect with mentors and investors. ABH offers a wide range of resources and services such as training, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Entrepreneurs compete for funding and other resources to develop their businesses through the annual pitch competition hosted by ABH.
What Are the Benefits of Being an African Business Hero?
In addition to funding and resources, being recognized as an African Business Hero by winning the pitch competition allows entrepreneurs to gain access to a network of mentors, investors, and business leaders. They also receive media exposure, which is essential for every startup company.
What Are Some Success Stories from AfricanBusinessHeroes.org?Jack Ma - Africa Business Heroes
Africa has a lot of business-oriented people destined for success. “Everywhere in the world, entrepreneurs are the same, they have hopes, they have dreams. They are never afraid of something; they want to create. But I did not expect in Africa, there are so many of them. I met them, when I see their eyes, when I talk to them, it looks like me 20 years ago” – Jack Ma
Since its launch in 2019, ABH has supported hundreds of African entrepreneurs and businesses. Some notable success stories include:
LifeBank: a Nigerian startup that provides a platform for blood and oxygen delivery, which has helped save thousands of lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Farmcrowdy: a Nigerian agri-tech startup that connects small-scale farmers with investors to fund their operations and increase their yields.
Sendy: a Kenyan logistics startup that provides on-demand delivery services, which has expanded to multiple African countries and raised over $20 million in funding.
How Can You Get Involved with the African Business Heroes organisation?
If you are a business owner or an entrepreneur looking for support and resources, visit ABH to learn more about the African Business Organization. You can also apply for the annual pitch competition and showcase your ideas or business to potential investors. And if you’re an investor or mentor looking to support African entrepreneurs, ABH provides a valuable platform to connect with promising startups and contribute to the growth of the African business ecosystem.
In conclusion, ABH is a valuable resource for African entrepreneurs and businesses looking to start, grow, or scale their operations. With its range of support services and resources, as well as its annual pitch competition, the organization is helping to identify and empower the next generation of African business leaders. If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or investor, don’t miss out on the opportunity to be a part of this exciting and impactful initiative.
“The entrepreneurs, I think we should make them the heroes. They are brave.” – Jack Ma
