Life Behind the Scenes: Africa’s Business Heroes, Kigali

Vision Before the Verdict: A Panel That Set the Tone

Before a single winner was announced, before the applause, the prize money, or the headlines, it was the judging panel that set the tone for Africa’s Business Heroes.

The questions they asked were not just sharp and insightful—they were visionary. These were questions about sustainability beyond funding cycles, about scaling across borders without losing integrity, and about responsibility when innovation moves faster than regulation. From the very start, it was clear: this panel wasn’t there to be impressed. They were there to protect the future.

The panel in conversation with Baraka Chijenga.  

The Grand Finale Judging Panel consisted of globally respected leaders who understand capital, consequence, and continent-wide impact:

• Jerry Yang – Co-founder of Yahoo!, Founding Partner of AME Cloud Ventures, and Board Director of Alibaba Group

• Ibukun Awosika – Founder of The Chair Centre Group and one of Nigeria’s most influential business leaders

• Dr. Diane Karusisi – CEO of the Bank of Kigali, Rwanda’s largest commercial bank

Watching them engage with the finalists felt like witnessing Africa’s ideas being pressure-tested at the highest level—by people who know what it takes to build something that lasts.

Holding the Room: Anita Erskine and the Power of Presence

Holding the entire evening together was Anita Erskine, the Ghanaian entrepreneur and host, and she was nothing short of brilliant. She carried the room with ease, intelligence, and warmth.

She held me—and the entire crowd—in suspense. The energy never dipped. As the tension built toward the final announcement, the room grew quiet. By the time the winner was about to be revealed, we were all holding our breath.

Jack Ma himself was in attendence

When Jack Ma Walked In

And then Jack Ma walked in.

The atmosphere shifted instantly. Applause erupted, phones went up, and the energy changed. He is a celebrity entrepreneur, without question—but more importantly, he is the initiator of Africa’s Business Heroes. The admiration was genuine and well deserved.

This is not symbolic philanthropy. Africa’s Business Heroes is belief—backed by structure, capital, and long-term commitment.

Kigali Convention Center: Scale, Access, and Intent

The event took place at the Kigali Convention Center, and it was everything you could expect it to be—and more. Grand, intentional, and charged with purpose.

What stood out just as much as the scale was accessibility. The event was free to attend. Each finalist received $100,000, and the grand prize winner walked away with $300,000. That alone speaks volumes about intent.

This was my first time attending, and I found it deeply inspiring—not just emotionally, but intellectually. These investments are more than life-changing. They are continent-changing.

Siny Samba (Senegal) – Le Lionceau

My Top Three Finalists

Choosing favorites was not easy, but three finalists stood out to me immediately.

Siny Samba (Senegal) – Le Lionceau

FoodTech / Infant Nutrition

It is time—long overdue—for Africa to have its own baby food, made from local ingredients, for African children. The impact of this will be immense. Infant nutrition shapes health, development, and opportunity. This is not just a business; it’s a foundation for future generations.

Baraka Chijenga (Tanzania) – Kilimo Fresh Foods Africa

AgriTech

Food waste remains one of Africa’s most painful contradictions. Kilimo Fresh addresses that gap head-on. Africa should not be importing vegetables and fruit at all. At the same time, this solution demands pan-African thinking. Scaling across countries will be challenging—but necessary.

Grand Prize Winner: Diana Orembe (Tanzania) – NovFeed

Biotech / Food Waste

From the moment she stepped on stage, the outcome felt inevitable. Her presence, her clarity, her passion—she was a winner before the announcement was made. NovFeed transforms food waste into sustainable animal feed, reimagining food systems from a powerful new angle. The win was fully deserved.

My new connections Révérien from Reve-Solutions, myself, Milano, Ingabire

More Than a Competition

They didn’t all make it—and that matters. Because success here isn’t only about who wins. Every finalist left with capital, visibility, and momentum.

Hands down, this is one of the most impressive events I’ve ever attended on this planet. Not because of the scale or the money—but because of the belief behind it.

Promesse Byoseniyo is a young designer who had his locs in this twisted updo. 

Of course I couldn't leave without snapping a shot for BAD Hair Uprooted, the Untold History of Black Follicles. Life behind the scenes is all about shooting for justice - aiming for equal hair rights - one headshot at the time. Please like, share and stay tuned for more! 

👉 Want to see more powerful portraits and the history behind natural hair discrimination?
Support the exhibition and documentary by downloading the book BAD Hair Uprooted: The Untold History of Black Follicles—a visual and written journey that uncovers what Black hair has been up against for centuries and why this conversation matters now.

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