A Kenyan has emerged the overall winner of the second edition of the Africa Business Heroes awards spearheaded by the Jack Ma Foundation. 

Chebet Lesan, founder Bright Green Renewable Energy, walks away with a capital injection of Sh33 million after beating more than 22,000 applicants across Africa. 


Chebet Lesan PHOTO/COURTESY

Lesan is a Kenyan entrepreneur who has won various accolades and Africa Business Heroes awards just adds a feather to her cap.

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The awards seek to identify and support African entrepreneurs creating an impact in their communities and building a more inclusive economy for a sustainable future.   

Lesan’s Bright Green Renewable Energy creates charcoal briquettes from waste material and then the sells them to a network of women in her community.  


Jack Ma. PHOTO/COURTESY

These smoke-free products offer affordable fuel in Kenya and protect trees from being converted to firewood and charcoal hence providing health benefits.

The Sh33 million capital injection to Bright Green Renewable Energy will boost the move by her company to promote access to clean cooking fuel across Africa.