The 2025 Africa’s Business Heroes Awards: Leaving Kigali with a spark of hope

When I first landed in Kigali for the 2025 Africa's Business Heroes grand finale, I’ll admit my expectations were low. I had braced myself for a routine “business assignment” — dry, technical, and filled with jargon about spreadsheets and market shares. I expected to do my job well, but without much personal connection.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

The moment the final 10 entrepreneurs stepped onto the stage, the atmosphere shifted — from formal to deeply inspiring. These young men and women weren’t simply pitching businesses; they were presenting solutions to some of Africa’s most urgent challenges. From sustainable agriculture and cutting-edge technology to accessible healthcare, their ideas were clear, confident and impactful. This wasn’t about numbers on a slide — it was about real change. And that realization stayed with me long after the lights dimmed.

Africa’s entrepreneurial spirit

Even amid the seriousness of the competition, moments of creativity stood out. One entrepreneur wore a T-shirt that read: “Stop reading my back, just visit my startup,” complete with a web address — a small but perfect snapshot of Africa’s inventive and resourceful entrepreneurial spirit.

The audience was packed with young people — aspiring founders, students and young professionals. They weren’t passive observers. They took notes, cheered loudly, and followed every pitch with intense focus. Their enthusiasm sent a clear message: Africa’s next generation isn’t waiting for opportunity — it’s preparing to create it.

The thrill of the finale

As the three judges deliberated, the tension inside the Kigali Convention Centre was unmistakable. The energy was heightened by an electrifying performance from Rwanda’s popular music star Kalvin Kade, setting the tone for an unforgettable finale.

Then came the announcement: Diana Orembe of Tanzania, founder of NovFeed, was named the winner. Her company’s circular economy model — transforming environmental waste into high-quality fish feed and fertilizer — stood out as a powerful example of innovation with impact. She took home the $300,000 grand prize.

The applause was deafening. Around me, young women in the audience watched with visible pride and excitement. Diana’s impromptu words captured the moment perfectly.

“This is your time. It’s Africa’s time. It’s the time for women entrepreneurs of Africa. Go for it — it pays at the end of the day.”

Heroes all around

Although one name was called last, the evening never felt like it belonged to a single person. The applause, the conversations, and the energy in the room told a different story — this was a collective win.

Every finalist left the stage with recognition, support and renewed confidence. The competition didn’t create hierarchy as much as it revealed a community of innovators, all moving forward together. It was a reminder that entrepreneurship isn’t only about winning — it’s about being seen, believed in, and given the chance to grow.

A vision for giving back

My interview with Sun Lijun, President of Alibaba Philanthropy, added an important perspective. Asked what change he hopes to see in five years, his answer went beyond financial success.

He spoke of wanting to see more African companies succeed — as China’s once did — but emphasized something even more important: that future success stories also become companies willing to give back and share their growth with society.

It was a fitting note to end on.

As I packed my bags and prepared to leave Kigali, my early expectations of a dry business assignment had completely faded. I left not just with a completed story, but with a genuine sense of hope. The talent, the ambition, and the determination I witnessed made one thing unmistakably clear:

This is Africa’s time.

Peninah Karibe is an anchor and reporter with CGTN Africa based in Nairobi. Over the last 14 years, she has specialized in covering political developments across the continent, while interviewing multiple presidents.