Entrepreneurs running businesses in Africa across any sector; applications in English or French.

What burden and restrictions apply?

No source-specific burden or use-of-funds rule was established in this review.

What evidence exists?

No source-specific outcome was established. The reviewed official corpus does not publish a comparable applicant denominator and acceptance rate for the next cycle.

Africa's Business Heroes (ABH)

USD grants for top ten finalists: $100,000-$300,000 per recipient; $1.5 million is the total pool · Jack Ma Foundation / Alibaba Philanthropy

Flagship philanthropic competition of Alibaba Philanthropy and the Jack Ma Foundation, awarding non-dilutive grants, training and exposure to African entrepreneurs. Top 10 finalists share a $1.5M grant pool. Current lifecycle: closed. Real economics: USD grants for top ten finalists: $100,000-$300,000 per recipient; $1.5 million is the total pool.

Tier 3prizenon-dilutiveafricagrant

Apply Official site Open in the live directory

Key facts

Funder	Jack Ma Foundation / Alibaba Philanthropy
Amount	USD grants for top ten finalists: $100,000-$300,000 per recipient; $1.5 million is the total pool
Decision time	No dependable comparable application-to-decision interval was published in the reviewed public corpus.
Eligibility	Entrepreneurs running businesses in Africa across any sector; applications in English or French.
Restrictions	Non-dilutive grants; no equity. Business must operate in Africa.
Status	closed

Always confirm on the official page before applying — dates and terms change.

Application process

Submit application on the ABH portal (English or French)
Multiple review/judging rounds
Semifinalist and finalist selection
Top 10 pitch
Grants ($100k-$300k) awarded to top 10 heroes

Background

Jack Ma Foundation / Alibaba Philanthropy operates Africa's Business Heroes (ABH). This pass separates direct cash, repayable finance, credits, incentives and umbrella programs so later ranking does not compare unlike instruments. No source-specific outcome was established in this review.

How the application really works

Submit application on the ABH portal (English or French) → Multiple review/judging rounds → Semifinalist and finalist selection → Top 10 pitch → Grants ($100k-$300k) awarded to top 10 heroes

Tips

Show direct fit with innovation.

Watch out for

Current lifecycle is closed.

Frequently asked questions

Is this actionable now?: closed. null
What is the real economic value?: USD grants for top ten finalists: $100,000-$300,000 per recipient; $1.5 million is the total pool
Who is eligible?: Entrepreneurs running businesses in Africa across any sector; applications in English or French.
How does selection work?: Submit application on the ABH portal (English or French); Multiple review/judging rounds; Semifinalist and finalist selection; Top 10 pitch; Grants ($100k-$300k) awarded to top 10 heroes. No dependable comparable application-to-decision interval was published in the reviewed public corpus.
What burden and restrictions apply?: No source-specific burden or use-of-funds rule was established in this review.
What evidence exists?: No source-specific outcome was established. The reviewed official corpus does not publish a comparable applicant denominator and acceptance rate for the next cycle.

Sources

africabusinessheroes.org/en — Official programme page reviewed for eligibility, economics, lifecycle and application route (checked 2026-08-10)
africabusinessheroes.org — Official controlling or administering-organization source reviewed for current terms (checked 2026-08-10)