JACK MA

WHY HIM? Ma hit headlines around the world this year when he announced that he’d be stepping down from his role as executive chairman of e-commerce giant Alibaba to focus on his philanthropy and his eponymous foundation, which funds everything from environmental to educational programmes.

THAT’S NOT ALL This year he launched the Netpreneur Prize, which aims to build a community of tech entrepreneurs around Africa. Over the next 10 years Ma will distribute US$10M among 100 African entrepreneurs.