Alibaba Philanthropy and the Jack Ma Foundation have announced a $1.5 million grant pool to support African entrepreneurs through the 2026 edition of Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) programme.
Now in its eighth edition, the initiative aims to support startups addressing key economic and social challenges across the continent under the theme “Defining Africa’s Future Today.”
The programme targets founders building businesses in sectors critical to Africa’s long-term development, including fintech, healthcare, agriculture, logistics, manufacturing, and emerging technologies.
Beyond financial support, participating entrepreneurs will gain access to mentorship, strategic guidance and networking opportunities with investors and business leaders. The initiative aims to help startups scale their operations and strengthen their market presence both regionally and globally.
For the 2026 cycle, the programme is expanding its recognition pool to include 100 finalists, giving more entrepreneurs exposure to international investors and corporate partners even if they do not reach the final stage of the competition.
Organisers also plan to deepen engagement in ten African markets, with particular attention given to underrepresented startup ecosystems such as Namibia, Tunisia and Zambia. The move is intended to bridge investment and visibility gaps for founders operating outside Africa’s main startup hubs.
Through the expanded programme, Alibaba and the Jack Ma Foundation aim to strengthen innovation ecosystems across the continent, promote cross-border collaboration and attract greater investment into Africa’s growing startup landscape.
