This year’s Anzisha Prize Forum has become a powerful forum not only for recognizing the budding entrepreneurship but also in presenting them an opportunity for interfacing with the potential investors, top industrialists and invited guests. The coveted award ceremony took place in Johannesburg wherein 20 young entrepreneurs showcased their business to potentials to discerning investors. Billed as the highest award in Africa for the young and budding entrepreneurs, the Anzisha awards this year’s theme was “Heads, Hearts and Hands” and carried cash awards.
The ceremony was divided into three sessions. The contestants were given a chance to interface with invited guests, potential investors, policymakers and also with each other. Over 500 contestants applied for the Award from all over Africa. Of that 20 were selected after proper screening for the final. The contestants were drawn from various industry segments. Interestingly, an overwhelming number of them were from agri-business. Almost 67% of the contestants were male and 33% female. Young entrepreneurs from Gambia, Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia took part in the contest for the first time.
The winners were selected after his /her interface with guests, potential investors and top industrialists who posed volley of questions to the contestants and often offered solutions to their problems. Some of investors also have offered finances to start the enterprises.
The US$ 25,000 cash award for 2019 Anzisha Award was given away to Yannick Kimanuka of the Democratic Republic of Congo. She started a school complex for providing quality education, particularly to under privileged and handicapped. The first runner-up was Osvaldo Reymokouma, again from Democratic Republic of Congo, who was given a cash award of US$ 15,000 for his work in agribusiness sector. Cecil Chikezie of Kenya has become the second runner-up and bagged a cash prize of US$ 12,500 for his work in the field of energy.
