Four Ugandan entrepreneurs have been selected as finalists for the Africa Business Heroes (ABH) competition; a flagship philanthropic program/competition established by the Jack Ma Foundation’s Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative (ANPI).
The four; Emmauel Emodek, Geoffrey Okoth, Joan Nalubega, and Emma Naluyima – were among the top 50 finalists selected from over 22,000 applications across all 54 African nations. The finalists represent 21 African countries, half are female, and work in 18 sectors like agriculture, AI, e-commerce, fashion, healthcare, renewable energy and ICT.
They now advance to the next round of selection and are participating in an exclusive virtual boot camp today (July 28th) where only 20 will be chosen and announced in August 2020.
The boot camp represents a further opportunity for aspiring candidates to access unparalleled knowledge and insights from across the ABH network. It also aims to build up finalists’ management and leadership capabilities and ultimately increase not only their chance of progressing to the next stages of the competition but to further develop as entrepreneurs.
After the boot camp, the final 10 will be announced in September 2020. ABH will culminate in a grand finale show later this year, where the top 10 finalists will take the stage to pitch business legends – including Jack Ma – for a chance to win their share of a USD$1.5 million prize pool.
Emmanuel Emodek, founded ChapChap – It empowers SMEs by giving them visibility and access to manufacturers, financial institutions, governments and a fair advantage to compete thus providing employment for women and youth for sustainable development.
Geoffrey Okoth, founded Green Charcoal – a company that manufactures briquette from agricultural waste like palm kernel husks; Rice husks; Coffee husks; and maize cobs to obtain an efficiently cheap source of fuel that completely replaces charcoal and firewood. Giving trees another life by avoiding the use of charcoal that is very much hurting our ecosystem.
Joan Nalubega, founded Uganics Repellents – they manufacture an organic, affordable soap that repels mosquitoes with intent to help prevent the spread of malaria. The soap can be used for bathing, washing hands & clothes.
Emma Naluyima of MST Junior School – a primary school/academy designed to train it’s pupils in modern innovative farming at its farm.
