ABH Selects Top 20 African Entrepreneurs for 2026 Semi-Final

Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) has selected its 2026 Top 20 entrepreneurs from an expanded Top 100 cohort, following more than 24,000 applications from all 54 African countries. The entrepreneurs will now compete for 10 places in the ABH semi-final after going through three-person judging-panel interviews that assessed leadership, innovation, impact, scalability and commercial strength. ABH also carried out site visits to companies that advanced to the semi-final stage, while PlusVC conducted comprehensive due diligence on the businesses.

The selection process produced a Top 20 representing 12 African countries and 11 sectors. Eight women entrepreneurs make up 40% of the cohort, while the businesses collectively generated approximately US$85 million in 2025. Their companies operate across agriculture and agritech, healthcare, manufacturing, climate technology, financial services, education, energy and technology.

Site Visits Put Businesses to the Test

Site visits form an important part of the ABH selection process because they allow the programme to assess businesses beyond their applications and pitches. Judges can see how teams operate, interact with customers and communities, and manage the demands of running a growing company.

This provides additional context to the judging process, particularly for businesses whose capabilities may not be fully captured through written applications. Combining interviews, due diligence and on-the-ground visits gives ABH a closer view of both the businesses and the entrepreneurs behind them. For the selected entrepreneurs, the process has also provided a closer assessment of their operational capacity and ability to grow. Their next challenge will be to secure one of the 10 places available in the semi-final.

ABH Takes Entrepreneurs to Hangzhou

ABH will also hold its second Hangzhou learning and market-access trip in China from 14–18 September. Around 40 participants from more than 10 African countries are expected to take part. Participants will include primarily the 2024 and 2025 Top 10 Heroes, alongside other alumni, selected entrepreneurs, judges and participants from the Alibaba Digital Lion programme. The trip will give entrepreneurs an opportunity to experience Hangzhou’s technology and commerce ecosystem, exchange ideas with other business leaders and gain practical knowledge that can be applied to their companies.

2026 Semi-Final Returns to Nairobi

Nairobi will host the 2026 ABH Semi-Final, returning the programme to the city where its first semi-final was held. The Kenyan capital has continued to attract technology companies, entrepreneurs, investors and organisations supporting business development.

This year’s event will bring a larger investor audience into the programme. Participating entrepreneurs will have opportunities to meet potential funders and strategic partners from Africa and other markets. The semi-final will also create space for investors to engage directly with the founders, assess their businesses and explore potential partnerships.