BluLever Education Flies SA Flag in Africa’s Business Heroes Top 20

By SA Trade Desk Editorial

South African EdTech trailblazer BluLever Education has officially advanced to the semi-final stage of the prestigious 2026 Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition, flying the flag for local innovation on the continental stage.

Co-founded by Jess Roussos and Adam Collier, the Johannesburg-based vocational training enterprise was named among the Top 20 semi-finalists selected from a massive pool of more than 24,000 applicants across all 54 African countries.

BluLever Education is redefining skills development in South Africa by tackling youth unemployment and critical artisan shortages head-on. By offering holistic, demand-led apprenticeships and business training in high-demand trades—including plumbing, electrical, solar, and automotive mechanics—BluLever equips young artisans not only with technical mastery, but also with essential leadership, digital skills, and entrepreneurial acumen.

Catalysing Pan-African Growth: What is ABH?

Now in its 2026 edition, the Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition—a flagship philanthropic initiative supported by Alibaba Philanthropy and the Jack Ma Foundation—is one of Africa’s premier pitch competitions designed to identify, showcase, and support exceptional African entrepreneurs.

ABH is focused on empowering grassroots founders who are driving inclusive economic development, creating localized jobs, and building sustainable solutions to community challenges across the continent.

Beyond competing for a share of US$1.5 million in grant funding, participants gain access to high-impact mentorship networks, global investor exposure, and tailored business training. The Top 20 semi-finalists represent 12 African countries across 11 key industries, commanding a impressive combined US$85 million in 2025 revenue—underscoring the commercial viability and scalability of African innovation.

The cohort will pitch live in Nairobi, Kenya, on 21–22 August 2026 for a place in the coveted Top 10 Grand Finale.

Meet the 2026 Top 20 Heroes

1. Farah Emara — FreshSource (Egypt) — AgriTech
2. Nour El-Assal — Tagaddod (Egypt) — Renewable Energy
3. Salma Tammam — REME-D (Egypt) — Healthcare
4. Ahmed Shaaban — Simplex (Egypt) — Manufacturing
5. Affiong Williams — Reelfruit (Nigeria) — Manufacturing
6. Kelvin Umechukwu — Bumpa) (Nigeria) — Enterprise / SaaS
7. Ikechukwu Anoke — Zuri Health Ltd (Kenya) — HealthTech
8. Naom Monari — Bena Care Limited (Kenya) — HealthTech
9. Joseph Mungai — AceleAfrica Limited (Kenya) — Energy
10. Louisa Gathecha — Bottle Logistics East Africa Ltd (Kenya) — Industrial (ClimateTech)
11. Meriem Benabad — Z.6 or Z.SYS INC (Morocco) — Retail (FMCG) – Marketplace
12. Nidal Tafah — MIRRIAH (Morocco) — AgriTech
13. Samson Fentaye — Thur Biotech Manufacturing Plc (Ethiopia) — Agritech
14. Jess Roussos — BluLever Education Pty Ltd (South Africa) — EdTech
15. David Kamugundu — eFiche Ltd (Rwanda) — HealthTech
16. Joseph Paul — Dawa Mkononi (Tanzania) — HealthTech
17. Gildas Zodome — Bio Phyto (Benin) — Agritech
18. Appessika Adanin Laurent Koffi — Green Agro Valley (Côte d’Ivoire) — Agritech
19. Hagasata Rakotoson — Solidis S.A (Madagascar) — FinTech
20. Rodney Kofi Kyei — Crux Global Limited (Ghana) — Media and Entertainment