The Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) prize competition is set to elevate its international profile with the inclusion of technology titan Jerry Yang, Co-Founder of Yahoo!, on its 2025 judging panel. Yang’s involvement highlights ABH’s dedication to connecting African entrepreneurs with high-level international expertise and mentorship.
Jerry Yang expressed his inspiration, stating, “Africa’s entrepreneurs are shaping the future of innovation in ways that inspire the world. I am honoured to join the judging panel… and look forward to learning from founders who are building bold, scalable solutions for the continent and beyond.”
Judging Panel and Distinguished Speakers
Yang will be joined on the judging panel by prominent African business figures:
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Diane Karusisi, CEO, Bank of Kigali.
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Ibukun Awosika, Founder, The Chair Centre Group.
Distinguished Lineup of Speakers
The 2025 ABH Summit will feature a powerful roster of thought leaders shaping entrepreneurship, investment, and creative industries across Africa. Confirmed participants include:
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Lijun Sun, Chair of the Board, Alibaba Foundation and President, Alibaba Philanthropy.
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Juliana Muganza, Deputy CEO, Rwanda Development Board.
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Clare Akamanzi, CEO, NBA Africa.
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Tara Fela Durotoye, Founder, House of Tara.
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Wandia Gichuru, CEO, Vivo Fashion Group.
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Naa Ashorkor, Journalist and Theatre Producer.
Summit Theme and Key Activities
The 7th ABH Summit and Grand Finale will be held under the theme “Defining Africa’s Future Today,” reinforcing Rwanda’s growing status as a continental hub for entrepreneurship as it hosts the event for the third consecutive year.
The two-day program is designed to be a comprehensive platform for collaboration and growth, featuring:
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Interactive sessions and masterclasses.
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Live pitches from the 2025 Top 10 finalists.
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Networking opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem builders.
The core program will explore key themes including leadership, innovation, investment, sustainability, and cross-sector collaboration.
Collaboration and Partnership
The Summit and Grand Finale are made possible by Alibaba Philanthropies in collaboration with the Rwanda Development Board. The event’s extensive network of partners reflects a collective effort to amplify African entrepreneurship:
| Partner Category | Examples of Partners |
| Key Sponsors | Gebeya (Catalyst Sponsor), Bank of Kigali, Jasiri, Inkomoko. |
| Outreach Partners | MTN Rwanda, Hanga Pitchfest, African Leadership University, Carnegie Mellon University – Africa, Norrsken Africa. |
| Support Providers | Kabisa (EV Ecosystem for transportation), Kozo Kigali (hospitality). |
Amadou Daffe, Co-Founder & CEO of Gebeya (a Catalyst Sponsor and former ABH Top 10 Hero), noted that sponsoring the Finale is a way of “giving back to a platform that continues to open doors for African innovators.” Gebeya will also launch its Gebeya Dala initiative at the Summit, committed to accelerating Africa’s digital talent ecosystem.
Entrepreneurs, investors, ecosystem builders, and other stakeholders interested in attending the 2025 ABH Summit and Grand Finale can register via the ABH website.
