Tunisia Confirms its Presence on the African Innovation Scene
Tunisia has once again confirmed its presence on the African innovation and entrepreneurship scene. Two Tunisian women, Hajer Derouiche and Ameni Mansouri, are among the 100 entrepreneurs selected for the 2026 edition of the Africa's Business Heroes (ABH) program, an initiative supported by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy.
Selected Among 24,000 Applicants
Selected from over 24,000 applications from 54 African countries, they embody two different but complementary trajectories of Tunisian innovation. On one hand, Hajer Derouiche, founder and CEO of Actifs Précieux, is developing advanced technology based on supercritical fluid to extract natural assets for the cosmetics, health, and nutraceutical sectors. On the other hand, Ameni Mansouri, co-founder and CEO of Dabchy, represents a generation of Tunisian digital startups on the rise. Her platform has become a reference for circular fashion in Tunisia and the MENA region, allowing the purchase and resale of new and second-hand clothing. This approach combines technology, responsible consumption, and collaborative economy.
A Major Evolution for ABH
At the continental level, the 2026 edition of ABH marks a major evolution: the program has expanded its Top 50 to a Top 100, to reflect the growth and maturity of the African entrepreneurial ecosystem. Together, the selected companies generate hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue and create thousands of jobs across the continent. This double Tunisian selection highlights an important dynamic: that of a country capable of producing both high-value industrial deep tech and digital platforms with a strong regional impact.
A Testament to Tunisia's Innovative Spirit
The selection of these two Tunisian entrepreneurs is a testament to the country's innovative spirit and its ability to produce talented and visionary leaders. It also demonstrates the diversity and richness of the Tunisian entrepreneurial ecosystem, which is capable of producing innovative solutions in various fields, from industrial technology to digital platforms. With this selection, Tunisia confirms its position as a major player on the African innovation scene, and its entrepreneurs are poised to make a significant impact on the continent's economic development.
