Moroccan Entrepreneur Reaches Finals in Prestigious African Youth Business Competition

The Anzisha Prize is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. A decade during which it has supported 122 entrepreneurs who have created more than 2,000 jobs. The organizers are pleased that the participants have presented innovative projects that address current issues. "Young entrepreneurs from Morocco, South Africa and Tanzania have presented impressive businesses that address critical issues in their communities while generating profits," they specified in a press release.

The Moroccan candidate is 22 years old and is the founder of IA4YOU, "a commercial and social initiative that designs various digital systems and platforms and promotes the use of artificial intelligence," according to the organizers. They argue that all the participants have real business management skills. The 20 best young entrepreneurs of the year were selected from 1,200 applicants. A record according to the members of the organizing committee. They will meet virtually in their respective countries to share, exchange and also learn. The final step will be the presentation of their companies to an external panel of judges.

The grand prize winner will receive a $25,000 envelope, while the first and second place competitors will receive $15,000 and $12,500 respectively. The announcement of the grand winner will be made on October 27 in a virtual format, with the participation of the main stakeholders in the young entrepreneur community.

This year, 20 of the companies that submitted applications are 45% owned by women in sectors such as agriculture, industry and education. According to the Deputy Director of the Anzisha Prize, Melissa Mbazo-Ekepenyong, this year’s candidates have shown imagination and creativity, basing their projects on the requirements and consequences of the Covid-19 crisis shaking the world.