East African Entrepreneurs Shine: Highlights from the 2025 Africa’s Business Heroes Finalists

By Ange de la Victoire DUSABEMUNGU

The 2025 Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) competition has spotlighted ten outstanding entrepreneurs from across the continent, with five representing East African countries. These finalists are set to compete in the grand finale in Kigali, Rwanda, on December 12-13, 2025, vying for a share of US$1.5 million in grant funding. Their participation underscores the dynamic and innovative spirit of East Africa’s business landscape.

From Kenya, two exceptional finalists have emerged: Wyclife Onyango with BuuPass, a digital ticketing platform transforming transport services, and Janet Kuteli of Fortune Credit Limited, a fintech company focusing on microfinance solutions. Their ventures highlight Kenya’s strengths in technology-driven finance and transportation sectors.

Tanzania’s representatives are Baraka Chijenga of Kilimo Fresh Foods Africa Limited, an agri-tech firm dedicated to food security through innovative agricultural solutions, and Diana Orembe of NovFeed, a biotech-driven agri-tech company revolutionizing animal feed and sustainable farming practices. These finalists showcase Tanzania’s burgeoning innovation in agriculture and biotech industries.

Rwanda, the host country, features Mukasahaha Diane of DIKAM Ltd, a textile enterprise committed to women and youth empowerment, emphasizing the country’s focus on social inclusion and sustainable development.

East Africa’s finalists exemplify diverse sectors, from transport and finance to agriculture, biotech, textiles, and social empowerment. Their innovative approaches and entrepreneurial spirit not only contribute to regional economic growth but also reinforce East Africa’s emerging position as a hub of business innovation within Africa.

As these entrepreneurs prepare for the high-stakes finale, their success stories embody the potential and resilience of East African businesses. The competition offers a vital platform for scaling solutions that address pressing social and economic challenges, ultimately inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs across the region.

The Africa’s Business Heroes 2025 competition is more than a contest; it’s a celebration of entrepreneurial talent and a catalyst for sustainable development in East Africa and beyond. The world will be watching in December as these trailblazing entrepreneurs showcase their innovations on the continental stage.

The 2025 Top 10 Finalists are: 

1. Wyclife Onyango – BuuPass (Kenya) – Transport / Digital Ticketing 
2. Siny Samba – Le Lionceau (Senegal) – FoodTech / Infant Nutrition 
3. Mukasahaha Diane – DIKAM Ltd (Rwanda) – Textiles / Women & Youth Empowerment 
4. Baraka Chijenga – Kilimo Fresh Foods Africa Limited (Tanzania) – AgriTech / Food Security 
5. Janet Kuteli – Fortune Credit Limited (Kenya) – FinTech / Microfinance 
6. Diana Orembe – NovFeed (Tanzania) – AgriTech / Biotech 
7. Abraham Mbuthia – Uzapoint Technologies Limited (Kenya) – SME Tech / Digital Tools 
8. Gohar Said– Suplyd (Egypt) – FoodTech / Supply Chain 
9. Adriaan Kruger – nuvoteQ (South Africa) – HealthTech / Digital Solutions 
10. Jean Lobe Lobe – Waspito (Cameroon) – HealthTech / Telemedicine