This year, Anzisha is celebrating 10 years since it begun supporting very young entrepreneurs. The 2020 edition saw 1,200 applicants from various African countries. 20 top startups were selected, 45% of which are female-owned. They operate in the sectors such as; agriculture, manufacturing, and education. Deputy Director of the Anzisha Prize, Melissa Mbazo-Ekepenyong, says, “2020 has seen a global shift in the future of work. This year’s applicants have personified the resilience and innovation that Africa needs as we navigate our way into a post-COVID-19 future.” For the past 10 years, Anzisha Prize has partnered with the Mastercard Foundation and the African Leadership Academy to support 122 entrepreneurs. 77 of the businesses supported have created north of 2,000 jobs for other young people. Chief Program Officer, Mastercard Foundation, Peter Materu, says, “The success of the Anzisha Prize over the last decade stands as a resounding testament to the creativity and entrepreneurial potential of Africa’s very young people—a hugely under-tapped resource. Through Anzisha, we’re reminded of what they can achieve when challenged and enabled to own and solve the problems they see around them. Now, as ever, the innovations that have emerged through the Anzisha Prize inspire and renew our faith in and commitment to their promise.”
The 2020 finalists for the Anzisha Prize are:
Mustapha Zeroual, 22, Morocco: Founder of IA4YOU, a business/social initiative that designs different systems and digital platforms using artificial intelligence. Aseitu Olivia Kipo, 22, Ghana: Founder of agribusiness Kobaa-Ok that focuses on the production and sales of vegetables and providing training and advisory services for other agri-entrepreneurs with farming businesses. Omonlola Loïs Aniambossou, 21, Benin: Founder of Abiathar Services, a business that offers installation, monitoring, and repair services for owners of electrical appliances. Ian Khonje, 20, Malawi: Founder of an innovative agri-business called Ian Khonje Food Processors (IKFP) that procures raw baobab from smallholder farmers – both within Malawi and from Mozambique – and produces and packages baobab jam. Mohamed Bah, 22, Sierra Leone: Founder of Information For All (IFA) an NGO that constructs drills and repairs water wells and toilets – enabling water sustainability and hygiene for water-deprived communities. Benjamin Mushayija Gisa, 21, Rwanda: founder of Kaso, a manufacturing company that manufactures and packages natural organic products both for consumption (e.g. honey, tea, oils, baking soda) and for cosmetic purposes (e.g. lotions, bee wax, coconut soap). Joshua Adabie Armah, 22, Ghana: founder of PopKing Ghana, a business that sells fresh popcorn in multiple flavors to vendors in Ghana. Adjei Nyamekye, 17, Ghana: founder of Mosquito Trapping and Emergency LED Bulbs, an initiative that sells state of the art light bulbs that provide 12 hours of emergency electricity during power outages and trap mosquitoes. Wilfred Chege, 20, Kenya: the co-founder of Shulemall Limited, an e-commerce platform that sells uniforms, textbooks, stationery, etc. for students in boarding schools. Abdelouahab Toukkart, 22, Morocco: founder of Isla Pack, a business that processes used industrial paper into boxes and wrappings for confectionery items. Mahlatse Matlakana, 22, South Africa: the founder of Wozilex, an agri-business that produces and sells vegetables. Abdul Dumbuya, 21, Sierra Leone: the co-founder of a social enterprise that produces raw ginger and processes it into ginger powder. The social enterprise uses 25% of its generated revenue to support educational programs. Saly Sarr, 22, Senegal: founder of SallyMaa, a fashion brand that designs and manufactures leather accessories such as heels and sandals for women of all ages. Joshua Adabie Armah, 22, Ghana: founder of PopKing Ghana, a business that sells fresh popcorn in multiple flavors to vendors in Ghana. Adjei Nyamekye, 17, Ghana: founder of Mosquito Trapping and Emergency LED Bulbs, an initiative that sells state of the art light bulbs that provide 12 hours of emergency electricity during power outages and trap mosquitoes. Wilfred Chege, 20, Kenya: the co-founder of Shulemall Limited, an e-commerce platform that sells uniforms, textbooks, stationery, etc. for students in boarding schools. Abdelouahab Toukkart, 22, Morocco: founder of Isla Pack, a business that processes used industrial paper into boxes and wrappings for confectionery items. Mahlatse Matlakana, 22, South Africa: the founder of Wozilex, an agri-business that produces and sells vegetables. Abdul Dumbuya, 21, Sierra Leone: the co-founder of a social enterprise that produces raw ginger and processes it into ginger powder. The social enterprise uses 25% of its generated revenue to support educational programs. Saly Sarr, 22, Senegal: founder of SallyMaa, a fashion brand that designs and manufactures leather accessories such as heels and sandals for women of all ages. Frida Agbor-Ebai Nenembou, 20, Cameroon: founder of Supreme Sparkle, a multifaceted business that offers tailoring, salon, and spa services. Jonathan Paul Katumba, 22, Uganda: founder of Minute5 – an online grocery delivery service with a focus on fresh farm products. Minute5 sources fresh fruits, vegetables, and other produce from small scale farmers and then delivers to consumers and businesses. Alaa Moatamed, 21, Egypt: the co-founder of Presto, one of the leading delivery management platforms in Egypt. The venture enables business owners to provide an affordable and convenient delivery service to their customers. Hamidu Biha, 22, Uganda: founder of Biha Eco Venture, an innovative recycling company that uses poultry eggshells to make various eco-friendly products including eco-charcoal and eco-tiles. David Denis, 22, Tanzania: founder of Cutoff Recycle, a Tanzania-based human hair waste recycling venture. Matina Razafimahefa, 22, Madagascar: founder of an innovative EdTech venture based in Madagascar. The business sources, trains, and produces highly equipped young Africans in industry-specific digital skills. Ijeje Hephzibah, 20, Nigeria: Co-founder of Recyclift, a Nigerian based recycling company with the sole focus of recycling plastic bottles and plastic bottle caps. The 2020 event will be held virtually. The top 20 will get to share knowledge and learn from various experts in preparation for their final pitches. They will also receive a cash prize of $2 500 each. The grand prize winner will receive $25 000, while the 1st runner and 2nd runner receive $15 000 and $12 500 respectively. To vote for your favorite entrepreneur and find out who the ultimate winner is at anzisha.org/Top20
