By Adedapo Adesanya
Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition, a philanthropic initiative sponsored by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy, has extended its deadline for entries to May 17, 2023.
In a statement on Thursday, the organisers said the extension had been made in response to the strong level of interest from entrepreneurs across the continent.
ABH aims to identify, support and inspire the next generation of African entrepreneurs who are making a difference in their local communities by working to solve the most pressing problems and building a more sustainable and inclusive economy for the future.
The new deadline gives potential applicants who are interested in challenging themselves but have yet to apply a chance to complete their applications. Successful applicants will have access to training, mentoring and learning opportunities as well as a community of like-minded African business leaders.
The top 10 finalists will share $1.5 million in grant funding, with the first-prize winner taking home $300,000.
This year, all successful applicants to the ABH Prize Competition will enjoy the bonus offer of complimentary access to the Alibaba Netpreneur E-learning Course provided by Alibaba Global Initiatives (AGI).
Designed as a self-learning program, the course will equip participants with fundamental knowledge in business management and digital transformation. In collaboration with AGI, ABH will also facilitate the top 10 finalists’ participation in a sponsored trip to Hangzhou, China to attend an offline immersion program on digitalization.
To date, ABH 2023 has already received more than 25,000 applications from entrepreneurs from all 54 countries in Africa.
ABH is putting out a special call to entrepreneurs whose countries are currently underrepresented – including Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya, to apply for this year’s competition and inspire millions of others with their unique stories.
Every year, ABH spotlights outstanding participants through traditional media and social media channels, including providing significant exposure to the top 10 finalists via the ABH Show and other content.
This year’s edition, which follows the ABH journey of the 2022 top 10 finalists and delves into their entrepreneurial stories, will come in 4-5 8-minute episodes that are slated to be broadcast online and across the continent in more than 40 countries.
ABH said it also continues to call on venture capitalists, investors, corporations and NGOs from around the world to join the 2023 competition as judges, who are a core part of ABH’s success.
ABH is part of the Jack Ma Foundation’s long-term commitment to helping support and fosters an inclusive and strong entrepreneurial ecosystem in Africa.
Every year since 2019, ABH has conducted a continent-wide search with its partners for 10 outstanding, mission-driven entrepreneurs that are striving to make a difference in their local communities. Over a 10-year period, ABH will recognise a total of 100 African entrepreneurs.
Business Post Contributor 
Dipo Olowookere