Chebet Lesan, a Kenyan entrepreneur flew the Kenyan flag high after winning 2020’s Jack Ma Foundation-led Africa Business Heroes awards.
The award comes with a cash reward of Ksh33 million to bolster her company’s operations.
“After seven months of looking for heroes, we’ve found our top three finalists. Chebet of @brightgreenke has emerged winner of the 2020 ABH competition. Coming second and third respectively is Soga of @mdaasglobal and Ethel of @MoneyMart_mfi. We are proud of these inspiring changemakers,” a tweet by Africa’s Business Heroes stated.
Lesan is the proprietor of Bright Green Renewable Energy, an eco-friendly company that has its focus on recycling waste into an alternative source of clean cooking energy.
Her products have been largely used in schools, hospitals and in households across the country.
With the cash award from Jack Ma Foundation now in its second edition, Lesan will expand her wings and reach more people with her products in Africa.
Africa Business Heroes was established with the intent to identify, celebrate and empower top entrepreneurs in Africa.
Jack Ma Foundation has pooled Ksh1.1 billion to be awarded in grants for the next 10 years to top entrepreneurs in the continent.
In October, she made it to the top 10 finalists of the Jack Ma Foundation competition. She had exuded confidence that’s he would make it to the top and change the loves of over 800 million people in the continent who cannot access clean energy.
She made it out of 22,000 applicants from 54 African countries with businesses in agricultural, health services, renewable energy, fashion, e-commerce, ICT and other sectors.
“It will mean that the problem we are solving of energy poverty across Africa, that the voices of 800 million people in Africa who still don’t have access to clean cooking fuel have been heard and are going to get the support they need to be able to improve their situation,” Lesan she told Nairobi News.
With her winning streak, Jack Ma Foundation will also offer mentorship for Lesan as she expands her activities in Africa moving forward.