The awards ceremony took place during the 13th Sankalp Africa Summit, organised by Aavishkaar Group, Intellecap and Sankalp Forum. The summit convened more than 1,000 entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers from over 50 countries, underscoring the growing global interest in Africa’s innovation ecosystem.
Kenyan ventures secured top honours in three categories. Rio Fish Ltd won the AgriTech award for its sustainable aquaculture model, which aims to strengthen food security and local fish production. M-Taka Solutions claimed the Circular Tech award for digitising waste collection and recycling systems, improving efficiency and traceability across the value chain. Malaica AG took home the HealthTech award for its maternal healthcare platform focused on improving outcomes for mothers and newborns.
“Africa’s entrepreneurial spirit is rewriting the rules of innovation. What we witnessed at Sankalp Africa Awards 2026 is not just startups pitching ideas — it’s founders building futures,” said Karnika Yadav, Partner and Director at Intellecap Africa. “Each winner embodies the courage to reimagine systems and the conviction to deliver impact where it matters most.”
Syna Dehnugara, Director at Sankalp Forum, noted that the awards reflect a broader shift in global innovation dynamics. “The Global South is not just participating in the innovation economy, it is rising, leading and shaping solutions for the world,” she said, adding that cross-border collaboration within African markets is accelerating.
Other continental winners included Sosai Renewable Energies Ltd in the ClimateTech category and Somo Africa Trust in FinTech, which operates across Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda to support micro and small enterprises.
The strong performance by Kenyan startups further cements Nairobi’s standing as a leading innovation hub on the continent, highlighting the city’s growing influence in venture development, impact investment and technology-driven growth.
