Diane Mukasahaha, founder and CEO of the textile company DIKAM Ltd, has been named one of the top 10 finalists for the 2025 Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition.

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The announcement on Friday, September 12, followed the Semi-Finals held in Dakar, Senegal, where 20 semi-finalists from across Africa pitched their businesses. The 10 finalists will compete for their share of $1.5 billion at the seventh ABH Grand Finale in Kigali on 12–13 December 2025.

Selected from nearly 32,000 applications continent-wide, Mukasahaha is the sixth Rwandan entrepreneur to pass the ABH semi-finals. The Africa Business Heroes is an initiative of Alibaba Philanthropy and the Jack Ma Foundation.

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The competition will award a total of US$1.5 million in grant funding, with the Grand Prize winner taking home US$300,000 and other finalists getting at least US$100,000 each, alongside access to mentorship, global networks, and storytelling platforms.

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"Our Top 10 Finalists embody the best of African entrepreneurship, visionary leaders building bold, scalable businesses that create meaningful social and environmental impact," said Zahra Baitie-Boateng, the Africa Managing Director of ABH.

"We are thrilled to see them advance to Kigali for the Grand Finale, where they will not only compete for funding but also inspire millions across the continent with their stories of resilience and innovation."

DIKAM Ltd focuses on empowering women and youth through the textile sector, blending innovation with social impact.

Mukasahaha is an entrepreneur and public health expert whose career spans over 20 years in health systems strengthening, HIV/AIDS prevention, and palliative care. As Rwanda’s National Coordinator for Palliative Care, she helped make compassionate care, including access to morphine, a core part of the national health system.

Transitioning to business, Mukasahaha founded DIKAM, which produces children’s clothing, school uniforms, corporate wear, and medical scrubs, employing between 200 and 400 people, over 80% of whom are women. The company focuses on economic empowerment through apprenticeships and skills training, particularly for women and teen mothers.

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List of all finalists

1. Wyclife Onyango – BuuPass (Kenya) – Transport / Digital Ticketing

2. Siny Samba – Le Lionceau (Senegal) – FoodTech / Infant Nutrition

3. Mukasahaha Diane – DIKAM Ltd (Rwanda) – Textiles / Women & Youth Empowerment

4. Baraka Chijenga – Kilimo Fresh Foods Africa Limited (Tanzania) – AgriTech / Food Security

5. Janet Kuteli – Fortune Credit Limited (Kenya) – FinTech / Microfinance

6. Diana Orembe – NovFeed (Tanzania) – AgriTech / Biotech

7. Abraham Mbuthia – Uzapoint Technologies Limited (Kenya) – SME Tech / Digital Tools

8. Gohar Said– Suplyd (Egypt) – FoodTech / Supply Chain

9. Adriaan Kruger – nuvoteQ (South Africa) – HealthTech / Digital Solutions

10. Jean Lobe Lobe – Waspito (Cameroon) – HealthTech / Telemedicine

Previous Rwandan finalists include Albert Munyabugingo, co-founder of delivery company VubaVuba, Francine Munyaneza, founder of solar company Munyax Eco, and Yvette Ishimwe of IRIBA Water Group.

There is also Christelle Kwizera, founder of Access Water Rwanda, and Kevine Kagirimpundu, co-founder of eco-friendly shoe brand UZURI K&Y.