With the nomination of participants to the 2021 Africa Business Heroes Top 50 Shortlist, the rising influence of the 40 Days 40 FinTechs project has achieved a new milestone.
As a result, Peter Kakoma, the CEO of Kanzu Code, and Emmanuel Emodek, the managing director of ChapChap, are in line to split the $1.5 million grand prize as well as additional business development advantages. Robert Kintu of Fit Insights Limited, Daniel Mukisa of Ridelink, and Ronald Hakiza of Ugabus Inc are among the other Ugandan contenders, says FRANK KISAKYE.
The 2021 Africa Business Heroes will include fifty candidates from 16 nations (ABH). They were picked from over 12,000 submissions from all around the continent.
ABH is a non-profit organization that was founded to strengthen the African entrepreneur ecosystem by finding, sharing the stories of, training, and giving grant financing to 100 Business Heroes across Africa over the next ten years. The Jack Ma Foundation is funding it.
The 50 African entrepreneurs are competing for a portion of $1.5 million in grant funds, according to the organizers, and will benefit from crucial networking and learning opportunities during their ABH journey.
“Since applications closed in early June, a prestigious pool of 233 judges has been reviewing thousands of applications from entrepreneurs across every country in Africa,” a statement said.
In Uganda’s fintech circles, Kakoma and Emodek are two of the most active financial technology entrepreneurs. Even more intriguing is the fact that they were in the same class at St Mary’s College Kisubi and later lived together after graduation.
Kanzu Code is a software development firm that helps organizations establish high-performing, dispersed software engineering teams by building web and mobile apps tailored to their needs.
Over the years, Kanzu Code has helped clients in telecommunications, publishing, finance; manufacturing and industry, tourism, and insurance to better serve over 600,000 customers.
“Appearing on the list of the top 50 Africa Business Heroes is a really big deal. It is a validation and endorsement of the work we have been doing over the years in enhancing digital and financial inclusion in Uganda and across Africa. It is proof that our team is doing something really good,” Kakoma noted.
ChapChap Africa, on the other hand, is a fintech and social enterprise that aims to enhance the lives of low-income individuals and companies by solving market inefficiencies that prevent low-income people from engaging in productive financial activities.
“It is really exciting that the Africa Business Heroes competition is putting us in the spotlight. Not just for me only as of the founder of ChapChap Africa but for any young innovator out there. It tells them that it is possible. Just imagine a scenario where no Ugandan was shortlisted for this award. That means there would be no hope out there,” Emodek said.
