BMCE Bank of Africa (www.BMCEbank.ma) has announced the launch of the final phase of the 3rd African Entrepreneurship Awards (www.African-Award.com). Devised and developed by the Group, the initiative provides support for African entrepreneurs, or entrepreneurs with African origins, rewarding talent and technology in three categories: education, environment and uncharted areas on the continent.

Round 3 of the 2017 Awards produced 40 finalists. The average age of contestants is 32, and over 35% of them are women, demonstrating the spirit of entrepreneurship and diversity driving African youth. The most popular category is the environment, accounting for 46% of projects, demonstrating the focus of entrepreneurs on ecological problems. Moreover, 61% of projects have now reached the start-up phase, as an indicator of the solid maturity of finalists.

On the next phase of the programme, the 40 finalists will go to a boot camp in Casablanca from 6 to 10 December. ​The training process will be followed up on 11 December by a closing ceremony with awards for the best and most sustainable projects.

The winners will be selected by the following jury headed by Mr. Othman Benjelloun; chairman of BMCE Bank of Africa:

• Mr. Brahim Benjelloun Touimi, CEO of BMCE Bank of Africa;
• Mr. Gong Li, Chinese Innovator and Technologist;
• Mr. John-Bernard Duler, Silicon Valley Investor;
• Mrs. Marie-Paule Niat, Cameroonian Entrepreneur.

Acting as a vehicle for BMCE Bank of Africa's commitment to innovative entrepreneurship since 2015, the African Entrepreneurship Award has a prize fund of one million USD. Every year the initiative conveys the Group's vision in favour of a continent driven by its young entrepreneurs, in a bid to improve the quality of life of all Africans.