Akayi, an African entrepreneurship ecosystem enabler, has announced the shortlist for its Entrepreneur of the Year (EOY) business competition.
The winners of the competition will have the chance to win a grand prize of US$2000.
The shortlisted entrepreneurs for this year’s competition are a diverse group, and their businesses range from agriculture to tech.
The competition aims to recognize the hard work and dedication of African entrepreneurs and provide them with the support they need to succeed.
Akayi was founded by Chido Dzinotyiwei and Farai Chikumba, who host regular gatherings of young entrepreneurs to share their experiences and advice on running start-ups.
Akayi also runs their signature program called Biz Build, a free six-week business development program that takes early-stage businesses through training sessions in strategy, finance, marketing, pitch training, and more.
Previous winners of the Biz Build program include Ona Natural Oils, in which Akayi has also invested an undisclosed amount.
Ona Natural Oils is now growing rapidly and the company recently announced that its products are available in Pick n Pay shops in Zimbabwe.
The finalists in the EOY competition will pitch their businesses to a panel of judges, who will select the winner based on the viability of their business, the potential for growth, and the impact they are making in their communities.
Akayi’s mission is to empower African entrepreneurs and provide them with the resources they need to succeed.
The EOY competition is just one of the many initiatives they have launched to achieve this goal.
With the success of previous winners like Ona Natural Oils, it is clear that Akayi is making a significant impact on the African entrepreneurship landscape.
Click here for the full list of winners
