The Jack Ma Foundation has awarded $1 million in prize money to 10 entrepreneurs from across Africa. This was during the inaugural Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative grand finale held in Accra, Ghana.
Reaching the finale was an uphill task the 10 entrepreneurs had to beat nearly 10,000 applicants from 50 African countries.
Related: The Ten Startups that will pitch before Jack Ma
Temie Giwa-Tubosun, founder and CEO, LifeBank (Nigeria) secured first place winning $250,000. LifeBank delivers blood and oxygen using drones to hospitals and patients in need of urgent blood supplies.
Furthermore, Dr Omar Sakr, founder and CEO, Nawah-Scientific (Egypt) came in second place, winning $150,000. On top of that, Christelle Kwizera, founder, Water Access Rwanda (Rwanda) was in third place, winning $100,000.
For the remaining finalists each received $65000; Waleed Abd El Rahman, Ayodeji Arikawe, Mahmud Johnson, Kevine Kagirimpundu, Dr Tosan Mogbeyiteren, Chibuzo Opara, Moulaye Taboure.
Jack Ma said, “The finalists should be an inspiration as they looked at big challenges, and saw them as opportunities.”
In addition, the initiative will host the competition every year through 2028 where 10 finalists will compete for $1 million. Entries for next year’s prize will open in the first half of 2020.
