Senegalese e-health startup Eyone has emerged as the winner of the latest edition of Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) competition, securing a substantial prize of US$300,000. This prestigious competition is a philanthropic initiative backed by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy, aimed at recognizing and uplifting African entrepreneurs who are making significant contributions to their communities.
Since its inception in 2019, the ABH competition has awarded a total grant of US$1.5 million annually to ten outstanding entrepreneurs. In addition to financial support, the program offers invaluable exposure, training, mentorship, and networking opportunities that are crucial for the growth and development of emerging businesses across the continent.
This year, the competition received an impressive 20,000 applications from all 54 African nations, showcasing the diverse entrepreneurial talent across the continent. After a rigorous selection process, ten finalists were chosen in October, with Eyone standing out as the overall winner. The startup has created an innovative medical interoperability platform that enables healthcare professionals and patients to access real-time medical records, significantly enhancing the efficiency and quality of healthcare delivery.
In addition to Eyone’s triumph, the competition recognized other notable entrepreneurs. Morocco’s Green Watech secured second place, earning US$250,000, while Kenya’s Solutech took third place, receiving US$150,000.
Henri Ousmane Gueye, the CEO of Eyone, expressed his pride in the achievement, stating;
This accomplishment is the result of a lot of hard work, and I am incredibly proud of my team. It’s a significant milestone for us, and it serves as an encouragement for us to keep working towards solving the problem our innovation addresses. It motivates us to continue tackling the big challenges our country faces.
This recognition not only highlights Eyone’s potential but also serves as a beacon of hope for other entrepreneurs striving to make a difference in their communities.
