Senegalese Entrepreneur Wins Top Prize in Africa’s Business Heroes Competition
Henri Ousmane Gueye, co-founder and CEO of EYONE (Eyone.net), a Senegalese technology company, has been named the grand prize winner of the sixth annual Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition.
The announcement was made at the ABH Summit and Grand Finale held in Kigali, Rwanda, where Gueye secured $300,000 in funding.
The ABH Prize Competition, sponsored by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy, saw nearly 20,000 applicants vying for a share of the $1.5 million prize pool.
The Top 10 finalists, selected after rigorous rounds of evaluation, pitched their businesses under the theme “AI – African Innovation, Insight and Impact” to a live audience and a panel of esteemed judges, including Dr. Diane Karusisi, CEO of Bank of Kigali, Ibukun Awosika, Founder of The Chair Centre, and Fred Swaniker, Founder and CEO of Sand Technologies.
Dr. Salma Bougarrani, co-founder and CEO of GREEN WATECH (GreenWatech.com) from Morocco, was awarded the second prize of $250,000, while Alexander Odhiambo, founder and CEO of Solutech Limited (Solutech.co.ke) from Kenya, received the third prize of $150,000.
“I am very proud to be announced as the winner of the 2024 ABH Prize Competition,”
said Henri Ousmane Gueye.
“This achievement is the result of a lot of hard work, and I am incredibly proud of my team. It’s a significant milestone for us, and it serves as an encouragement for us to keep working towards solving the problem our innovation addresses. It motivates us to continue tackling the big challenges our country faces.”
The two-day ABH Summit and Grand Finale, attended by 1,606 participants, featured insightful discussions on entrepreneurship’s role in addressing Africa’s challenges in healthcare, agriculture, and education. Notably, the event debuted ABi, ABH’s AI co-host, which provided insights and enhanced connections.
Zahra Baitie-Boateng, ABH Managing Director – Africa, highlighted the ingenuity of the finalists and emphasized the competition’s commitment to empowering Africa’s next generation of business leaders.
“Congratulations to Henri and all our finalists! As we celebrate their success, we’re excited to launch the 2025 call for applications and continue empowering Africa’s next business leaders,”
she stated.
The event also featured notable speakers, including Jean-Guy Afrika, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, and Ibukun Awosika, who emphasized the importance of “African Intelligence” in driving impactful solutions.
The ABH announced that Kigali, Rwanda, will host the Summit and Grand Finale for the next four years, solidifying its position as a hub for entrepreneurship. The Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Rwanda Convention Bureau (RCB), and Bank of Kigali were recognized as key partners.
The 2025 ABH call for applications is now open, inviting African entrepreneurs to apply for a chance to win a share of the $1.5 million prize.