Someone is Notably Absent From This Year’s Alibaba-Backed Africa’s Business Heroes Awards

Organizers of the annual Africa’s Business Heroes prize sent out an announcement on Wednesday that the online portal to apply for the competition will open on Monday.  In the past, just last year in fact, this same announcement had Jack Ma all over it. But not this year. In fact, there’s no indication whatsoever that Ma founded the competition and that’s even supported by his foundation or Alibaba.

It’s as if he’s just… disappeared.

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest China-Africa news and analysis.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China-Africa relations.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in Africa and throughout the Global South.

China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.