Over 1,000 entrepreneurs have met in Nairobi for the 5th edition of the SANKALP Africa Summit.

This year’s theme is ‘Open Alliance for a Sustainable and Inclusive Africa 2030’, which revolves around the Sustainable Development Goals and how various partners can work together to achieve these goals with the private sector.

On the first day of the summit, stakeholders from across the impact investing ecosystem deliberated on strategies for building partnerships and collaborations to drive the sustainability and inclusion agenda in Africa.

The summit will highlight what has been achieved so far and delve deeper into the untapped opportunities presented by the SDGs in Africa for the entrepreneurs, corporates and the development community.

Each year the Summit recognizes high potential entrepreneurs and this year,10 enterprises were competing for the coveted Sankalp Africa Award with iNuka Pap emerging victorious.

iNuka Pap is a mobile lending and payment platform that allows members of rural credit unions access timely loans and convenient payments.

The second place went to KopaGas; the enterprise has developed the world’s first commercially tested LPG smart meter for household use which incorporates a pay-as-you-cook model. KopaGas also delivers high quality and reliable supply of LPG and has grown to become the third largest (by volume) distributor in Tanzania over its years of operations.

Third place went to Mhogo Food; the enterprise processes multipurpose and affordable gluten-free Cassava flour for sale to the low and middle-income earners in Africa and is planning on introducing cassava Chips as one of its product offerings.

Winners from previous years have gone on to raise over $500,000 in investments.

How can we ensure a future where quality education, affordable healthcare and livelihoods are the new social defaults as defined in the drive towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals? Can we commit to making choices today to ensure a sustainable and inclusive future for all?

The SANKALP Africa Summit brings together carefully curated entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, corporates, academics, policymakers, and other thought-leaders from around the globe to discuss these and other complex questions under the framework of Goal 17 of the SDGs.

The Summit drives these exciting discussions, which have been structured in various formats like masterclasses and panel sessions, and address key topics areas like financing towards attaining the goals, building sustainable impact-based enterprises, forging collaborative partnerships, and imagining the future beyond the goals themselves.

The Summit is supported by key partners such as World Bank, Doen Foundation, Miller Center, Kenya Climate Innovation Center, BMW Foundation, IDRC and several others who champion innovation, entrepreneurship, and impact investing for a sustainable and inclusive Africa.