Delivering opening remarks, RDB Deputy CEO Juliana Kangeli Muganza welcomed delegates to Kigali and reaffirmed Rwanda’s continued commitment to championing entrepreneurship as a driver of Africa’s socio-economic transformation.

She commended the Africa’s Business Heroes initiative for its impact on the continent’s innovation landscape and praised the decision to host the Grand Finale in Kigali for the third consecutive year.

“We are proud that ABH has chosen Kigali as the host city for the Grand Finale for the third year running. This is not by coincidence. It reflects a shared conviction between the Government of Rwanda and the ABH community that entrepreneurship is not just a tool for development it is the engine of transformation.”

Muganza noted that ABH continues to showcase the power of Africa’s entrepreneurial spirit, adding:

“Each year, ABH reminds us that entrepreneurship is not just an ambition but a language spoken across the continent. It reminds us that young people, women, and innovators are no longer waiting for opportunities they are creating them.”

She congratulated this year’s Top 10 finalists, selected from more than 32,000 applications, highlighting Rwanda’s effort to nurture a conducive ecosystem through supportive policies, investment promotion, and innovation infrastructure.

The Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda, Gao Wenqi, praised ABH’s contribution to Africa’s development since its launch in 2019.

“Africa’s Business Heroes has become a transformative programme for the continent. Previous winners have grown into influential leaders across Africa. The growing number of applicants is proof of Africa’s promising economic future.”

Since 2019, ABH has supported and showcased hundreds of entrepreneurs with scalable solutions across sectors. Finalists this year are competing for prizes ranging from $100,000 to $300,000.

This year’s Summit held under the theme of promoting African entrepreneurship and strengthening investment networks  features a two-day program of panels, pitching sessions, mentorship, exhibitions, and investor roundtables.

The event has brought together a diverse community of Entrepreneurs, Investors and venture capitalists, Financial advisors, Policymakers and Sector experts and thought leaders.

Collectively, they are exploring pathways to accelerate Africa’s startup growth, unlock capital, and expand opportunities for young innovators.