The 14th Edition Presented by Aavishkaar GroupAavishkaar Group IntellecapIntellecap

Sankalp
Africa 2027

Five days where 1,500+ changemakers from Africa and Asia shape the next decade of entrepreneurship, investment and innovation, from the heart of Nairobi.

Dates
22–26 Feb 2027
Location
Nairobi, Kenya
$300M+
Capital catalyzedAcross the Global South
13,500+
Participants convenedSince 2014
3,500+
EnterprisesSupported
75+
CountriesRepresented
About the summit

The Global South, gathered in one city

Since 2014, the Sankalp Africa Summit has united entrepreneurs, investors, and changemakers to catalyze sustainable growth. It is the continent's principal meeting point for entrepreneurship and impact investing — where founders building market-ready solutions meet the capital, policy and networks needed to scale them.

The 2027 edition, under the theme South-South Rising: Building an Infrastructure of Exchange, celebrates collaboration across Africa and Asia, linking ecosystems, investors, and innovators to accelerate inclusive impact.

Africa

The host and the engine — enterprises solving for the continent's most pressing gaps, at scale.

Asia

Proven models and patient capital, carried across from Sankalp's founding ecosystem.

The experience

What to expect in Nairobi

What five days at Sankalp Africa Summit will actually deliver.

1,500+

Changemakers

Connecting across Africa and Asia to reimagine inclusive growth.

2,500+

One-on-One Meetings

Where collaborations and capital flow across borders begin.

200+

Voices of Impact

Leaders, innovators & investors driving the South–South transformation.

25+

Power-Packed Sessions

Unpacking real solutions that scale impact across regions.

7

High-Impact Tracks

From Climate Action to Agriculture and Food Security to Health and WASH.

50+

Countries Represented

Bridging ecosystems and building trust across the Global South.

5

Transformative Days

Immersive learning, dealmaking, and collective action that moves the needle.

The South–South connection

Who you'll meet in Africa

Discover how collaboration across Africa and Asia fuels
inclusive growth, innovation, and capital flow.

Entrepreneurs01

Entrepreneurs

Turn your vision into opportunity. Showcase your innovation, connect with investors, and fast-track your growth through curated marketplaces, mentorship, and matchmaking.

Investors02

Investors

Discover the next wave of high-growth enterprises. Engage in curated deal rooms, investor lounges, and networking sessions that spark lasting partnerships.

Corporates & Foundations03

Corporates & Foundations

Lead with purpose. Partner with enterprises that align business success with impact, discover innovations, and co-invest with DFIs and peers.

Entrepreneur Support Organizations04

Entrepreneur Support Organizations

Empower enterprises and strengthen ecosystems. Build partnerships, design better programs, and amplify your impact across regions.

Academia05

Academia

Bridge research with real-world innovation. Connect classroom insights to enterprise solutions shaping the future of inclusive economies.

Policy Makers06

Policy Makers

Shape policies that accelerate inclusive growth. Engage with businesses, investors, and changemakers to co-create enabling environments.

Programme

Five Tracks. Five Days.

Our focus sectors reflect the challenges and opportunities we share across the Global South.

Climate Action01

Climate Action

Adaptation finance and resilient infrastructure for a warming Global South.

Agriculture and Food Security02

Agriculture and Food Security

Value chains, cold storage and market access for smallholder-linked enterprise.

Financial Inclusion03

Financial Inclusion

Credit, savings and insurance for underserved communities, built on digital public infrastructure.

Circular Economy04

Circular Economy

Waste-to-value, sanitation and regenerative production systems.

Creative Economy05

Creative Economy

Capital, IP and market access for creative and cultural enterprise.

Cross-Cutting Sectors

Technology

Technology

AI for Impact, Deep Tech and Digital Public Infrastructure.

Gender

Gender

Women’s economic empowerment and gender-lens investing.

Featured voices

Meet the voices shaping the Global South

From Nairobi to Mumbai to Jakarta, Sankalp brings together leaders transforming entrepreneurship and inclusive finance.

Carol Koech
C
Carol Koech
Vice President, Africa
Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet
Takehiro Yasui
T
Takehiro Yasui
Director General, Private Sector Partnership and Finance Department
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Dr. Tonny K. Omwansa
T
Dr. Tonny K. Omwansa
Chief Executive Officer
Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA)
Urmi Sen Gupta
U
Urmi Sen Gupta
Consultant and Chair, Project Advisory Board
Catalytic Capital Consortium, Grant Making
Mary Porter Peschka
M
Mary Porter Peschka
Regional Director, Eastern Africa
International Finance Corporation (IFC), World Bank Group
Dr. Adarsh Swaika
A
Dr. Adarsh Swaika
High Commissioner of India to Kenya and Permanent Representative to UNEP and UN-Habitat
Carol Gribnau
C
Carol Gribnau
Executive Director
Dion Foundation
Wendy Taylor
W
Wendy Taylor
Former President and CEO
William Davidson Institute (WDI)
David Ohlig
D
David Ohlig
Portfolio Manager
KfW Development Bank
John Mwendwa, OGW
J
John Mwendwa, OGW
Chief Executive Officer
West Kenya
Hamdiya Ismaila
H
Hamdiya Ismaila
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Savannah Impact Advisory
Amb. Gurjit Singh
G
Amb. Gurjit Singh
Development Operation Advisor
Gurjit Singh Advisory
Ujjawal K
U
Ujjawal K
Partner and Lead for Subnational Climate Action
Energeva Ventures
Nishdeep Sethi
N
Nishdeep Sethi
Group Director of Programs
Africa Guarantee Fund
Juliette Keeley
J
Juliette Keeley
Chief Impact Officer
Shell Foundation

More speakers announced soon. The full 2027 roster will be published ahead of the summit.

Sankalp Africa Awards 2027

Recognising the enterprises driving Africa’s impact economy

The Awards celebrate established enterprises using innovation to solve Africa’s most pressing challenges while creating jobs, income and opportunity for the people who need it most. Finalists pitch to a Grand Jury of senior investors, and winners are announced on stage at the Summit.

  • 3+ years operating
  • USD 2M+ revenue
  • Complimentary Summit ticket for finalists

Also open for applications: ASCEND Africa, Climate Dealroom and Trailblazers. Applications close 1 December 2026.

Cover of the Sankalp Africa 2026 Report
2026 Sankalp Africa
Summit Report
Report

Sankalp Africa 2026 Report

A look back at the 13th edition in Nairobi: the conversations, deals and partnerships that came out of five days together, and the lessons we are carrying into 2027.

Download the report
2026 Recap

See the movement in action

From scaling Africa's entrepreneurs to connecting the Global South, watch how the Sankalp journey continues to grow from Nairobi to the world.

Sankalp Africa Summit recap film Recap film Sankalp Africa 2026 Recap Plays here, no need to leave the page Watch on YouTube
In their words

What past delegates say

Founders, investors and partners on what previous editions of the Summit made possible.

The South-South Collaboration theme resonated deeply with our work.
Read the full quote

Sankalp Africa Summit 2026 aligned strongly with what TNO came to do. The South-South Collaboration theme resonated deeply with our work, and the quality of the audience gave us genuine opportunities to introduce innovation topics and facilitate meaningful connections across the Global South. Our booth location gave us excellent visibility, and we left having met many of the people we set out to connect with. We look forward to building on those relationships in the year ahead.

MMMathilde MiedemaProgram Director Innovation for Development, TNOSankalp Africa 2026
Passes

Find your pass

Four passes and two exhibiting packages, from a single seat in the room to a full exhibition presence. Every option includes access to summit sessions, teas, lunch and the happy hour.

Delegate Pass
$1,035USD

For funders, foundations and NGOs who come to source and assess opportunities.

  • Priority Learning Journey booking (seats are limited; additional charges apply)
  • Pre-Summit Deal Book: a vetted list of enterprises by sector, sent two weeks before the summit
  • Access to the networking app one month before the summit
  • An organisation profile in the networking app
  • Access to summit sessions, teas, lunch and happy hour
Incubator Pass
$800USD

For accelerators, incubators and support organisations that back entrepreneurs.

  • Access to practitioner roundtables
  • A discount code to bring more of your team or cohort to the summit
  • Access to the networking app two weeks before the summit
  • A programme profile in the networking app to amplify your work to the Sankalp network
  • Access to summit sessions, teas, lunch and happy hour
Entrepreneur Pass
$260USD

For startups who want to be in the room.

  • Access to investor coffee hours
  • Virtual Coffee Book listing
  • Access to the networking app two weeks before the summit
  • Access to summit sessions, teas, lunch and happy hour

Exhibiting packages

Booth bookings close on 15 February 2027 so we can produce your branding.

Exhibition Booth
From$2,700USD

For organisations that want strong on-site visibility and marketing reach.

  • Branded 3 × 3 exhibition space: printed backdrop and a TV
  • Two Delegate Passes, each including all Delegate Pass benefits, the Pre-Summit Deal Book and priority Learning Journey booking
  • Exhibitor Story Series: pre-summit spotlight and post-summit feature
  • Access to the networking app one month before the summit
  • An organisation profile in the networking app
  • Mention in the post-summit report
  • Access to summit sessions, teas, lunch and happy hour

Premium placements in the Ballroom and Foyer are bespoke, priced up to $3,500 USD. Contact the team for pricing.

Entrepreneur Launchpad
$1,199USD

For startups ready to exhibit and put a team on the ground.

  • Branded 2 × 2 exhibition pod with a custom-printed backdrop
  • Two Entrepreneur Passes, each including all Entrepreneur Pass benefits, investor coffee hours and a Deal Book listing
  • Access to the networking app one month before the summit
  • An organisation profile in the networking app
  • Access to summit sessions, teas, lunch and happy hour

All prices in USD, exclusive of applicable taxes.

Registration

Book your place

Join the conversations, collaborations, and capital flows redefining how the Global South invests in itself — starting in Africa.

Dates
22–26 Feb 2027
Location
Nairobi, Kenya
Format
In-person
Registration Coming Soon
Early-bird rates available
Built with

Past Partners

Venue

Sarit Expo, Nairobi

East Africa's innovation capital and the gateway to the continent's fastest-growing markets. Plenaries, deal rooms and an enterprise showcase floor at Sarit Expo, Nairobi, Kenya.

Venue
Sarit Expo
City
Nairobi, Kenya
Format
In-person, ticketed
Save the date
22–26
February 2027
Join the movement

Be part of South-South Rising

Whether you come to raise, to invest, to partner or to build — there's a way in. Choose yours and we'll get you set up for Nairobi.

Sankalp Africa Summit 2027

Entrepreneur
Initiatives

Sankalp Africa Summit is Africa’s largest convening on entrepreneurship and impact investing, bringing together the entrepreneurs, investors and ecosystem builders shaping the continent’s impact economy. At Sankalp Africa 2027, four initiatives put African entrepreneurs in front of the right capital at the right stage, from a first angel round of USD 100,000 to growth rounds of USD 5 million and above.

Applications open
1 Oct 2026
Applications close
1 Dec 2026
Summit
22–26 Feb 2027
Find your fit

Which initiative is right for you?

Each initiative is built for a different kind of business. Use the guide below to find the one that fits yours, then read on for eligibility, benefits and how selection works.

Sankalp Africa Awards

Best for
Social enterprises creating jobs, income and opportunities across Africa
Business profile
3+ years operating; USD 2M+ revenue
Funding sought
Not required. Recognition, investor connections and scaling support
Format
Grand Jury pitch (in person, virtual option); winners announced at the Summit
View details ↓

ASCEND Africa

Best for
Seed and early-stage founders in any sector
Business profile
1+ year operating; USD 100K+ revenue
Funding sought
USD 100K to 500K
Format
Pitch to a panel of angel investors
View details ↓

Climate Dealroom

Best for
Climate and sustainability enterprises
Business profile
3+ years operating; USD 2M+ revenue
Funding sought
USD 2M+
Format
Closed-door, matchmade 10-minute investor meetings
View details ↓

Trailblazers

Best for
Growth-stage, high-performing social enterprises
Business profile
Series A raised previously
Funding sought
USD 5M+
Format
Showcase to curated growth-stage impact investors
View details ↓

Every finalist and selected enterprise, across all four initiatives, receives a complimentary ticket to the Summit.

01
Sankalp Africa Awards

Recognising the enterprises driving Africa’s impact economy

The Sankalp Africa Awards celebrate established enterprises using innovation to solve Africa’s most pressing challenges while creating jobs, income and entrepreneurial opportunity for the people who need it most. Finalists pitch to a Grand Jury of senior investors, and winners are announced on stage at the Summit in front of investors, partners, media and the wider Sankalp community.

  • 3+ years operating
  • USD 2M+ revenue
  • Five award categories

Agri Tech Award

Technologies and platforms transforming African agriculture, improving productivity, sustainability and food security, and empowering farmers.

Circular Tech Award

Innovations advancing the circular economy in Africa, including technologies that promote repair, reuse, recycling and resource efficiency.

Climate Tech Award

Climate-focused solutions that reduce environmental impact and contribute to a greener, more resilient continent.

FinTech Award

Financial technology products and services transforming how individuals and businesses manage money, driving financial inclusion and efficiency across Africa.

HealthTech Award

Technologies and platforms improving access to, and the affordability and quality of, healthcare for communities across Africa.

Who should apply

  • Enterprises active in Africa that create jobs, income or entrepreneurial capacity for youth, women, and informal or rural workers
  • At least 3 years in operation
  • Revenue of USD 2 million or more
  • Working in one of the award categories above

What you get

  • A complimentary Summit ticket for every finalist
  • Recognition on the Summit stage, with visibility among investors, partners, media and the Sankalp community
  • A pitch in front of senior investors. Finalists present to a Grand Jury of Partners, Managing Directors and Principals from leading investment firms
  • Investor exposure before the Summit. Finalists’ one-pagers and pitch decks are shared with investors ahead of the event
  • Investor introductions after the Summit for winners and finalists

How selection works

  1. Apply. Submit your application through the Sankalp Africa Summit 2027 Entrepreneur Initiatives application form.
  2. Screening. Eligible applications are scored and reviewed by a Screening Committee of investment managers.
  3. Grand Jury. The top three enterprises in each category pitch in person to the Grand Jury the day before the Summit. Finalists based far from Nairobi can pitch virtually.
  4. Winners announced. One winner per category is announced at Sankalp Africa Summit 2027.
02
ASCEND Africa

Where Africa’s early-stage founders meet angel capital

ASCEND Africa is a seed and early-stage programme that connects high-potential African founders with angel investors. Applications go through a rigorous screening process, and the strongest enterprises are prepared through workshops before pitching to a panel of angel investors at the Summit. The focus is on quality: a small, well-prepared cohort gets real attention from the investors in the room.

  • 1+ year operating
  • USD 100K+ revenue
  • Raising USD 100K to 500K
  • All sectors

Who should apply

  • Enterprises with active operations in Africa
  • At least 1 year in operation
  • Revenue of USD 100,000 or more
  • Looking to raise between USD 100,000 and USD 500,000
  • Open to enterprises across all sectors

What you get

  • A complimentary Summit ticket for every selected enterprise
  • Direct engagement with an angel investor panel actively looking for early-stage deals
  • Preparatory workshops to sharpen your pitch and investment case before the Summit
  • Media visibility through Sankalp’s channels and Summit coverage
  • Mentorship opportunities, as investors may offer guidance beyond capital

How selection works

  1. Apply. Submit your application through the Sankalp Africa Summit 2027 Entrepreneur Initiatives application form.
  2. Screening. A Screening Committee reviews applications and selects the cohort.
  3. Prepare. Selected founders take part in preparatory workshops ahead of the Summit.
  4. Pitch. Founders pitch to the angel investor panel at the Summit, followed by questions and discussion. Investment decisions rest with each investor.
03
Climate Dealroom

Matchmade meetings with climate-focused investors

Climate Dealroom is a private, closed-door session for climate and sustainability enterprises. The Sankalp team matches each entrepreneur with the climate-focused investors most relevant to their business, then brings them together in focused, ten-minute one-on-one engagements. The cohort is limited to ten enterprises, so every conversation counts.

  • 3+ years operating
  • USD 2M+ revenue
  • Raising USD 2M+
  • Cohort of ten

Who should apply

  • Enterprises active in Africa with a direct impact on climate and sustainability
  • At least 3 years in operation
  • Revenue of USD 2 million or more
  • Seeking to raise USD 2 million or more
  • Working in Clean Energy, Sustainable Agriculture, Water Management, Circular Economy, or an adjacent climate or sustainability sub-sector

What you get

  • A complimentary Summit ticket for every selected enterprise
  • Investor matchmaking. The Sankalp team pairs you with climate funds, ESG-focused family offices, impact investors and development finance institutions (DFIs) whose mandates fit your business
  • Private, closed-door pitch sessions away from the main Summit floor
  • Investor-ready materials. A summary business sheet on your enterprise is shared with investors ahead of the session
  • A limited cohort of ten enterprises, so investors come prepared and engaged
  • Networking with climate investors and fellow founders

How it works

  1. Apply. Submit your application through the Sankalp Africa Summit 2027 Entrepreneur Initiatives application form.
  2. Selection. A cohort of ten enterprises is selected based on investment readiness, revenue traction and climate impact.
  3. Matchmaking. The Sankalp team matches each enterprise with relevant investors and shares a summary business sheet with them in advance.
  4. On the day. You meet your matched investors in back-to-back, ten-minute engagements in a private session.
04
Trailblazers

A showcase for Africa’s high-performing growth-stage enterprises

Trailblazers is a curated programme for three to seven growth-stage entrepreneurs from Africa who are raising USD 5 million or more. It goes beyond a standard pitch, combining storytelling, peer connection, curated meetings with growth-stage investors, and recognition at the Summit, so that high-growth, investment-ready founders get meaningful access to the investors who can fund their next stage.

  • Series A raised
  • Raising USD 5M+
  • Three to seven enterprises
  • All sectors

Who should apply

  • A strong revenue trajectory, a mature business model and readiness for a growth-stage investor conversation
  • Growth-stage social enterprises active in Africa
  • Seeking to raise USD 5 million or more
  • Have previously raised a Series A round
  • Open to all sectors

What you get

  • Curated introductions to growth-stage investors with active USD 5 million+ mandates in Africa, facilitated by Intellecap’s investment team
  • A platform to tell your story to the Summit audience, which may include speaking or panel slots
  • Recognition at the Summit, including a feature during the Awards announcement segment, for maximum visibility with investors, partners and the wider Sankalp community
  • Peer connection with a small group of fellow growth-stage founders across the African market

How it works

  1. Apply. Submit your application through the Sankalp Africa Summit 2027 Entrepreneur Initiatives application form.
  2. Selection. A small cohort of Trailblazers is selected based on growth trajectory, fundraising ask, Series A track record and impact performance.
  3. Prepare. Selected enterprises work with the Sankalp team to prepare investor materials, and are briefed on the investors they will meet.
  4. Showcase. Each enterprise takes the stage during the main Summit plenary to spotlight its business in front of the full Summit audience.
  5. Investor introductions. After the showcase, Trailblazers are introduced to curated growth-stage investors, including institutional investors, impact funds, development finance institutions (DFIs) and family offices.
How to apply

One application, four ways in

All four initiatives use the same application form. Applications open on 1 October 2026 and close on 1 December 2026.

Applications open
1 Oct 2026
Applications close
1 Dec 2026

Not sure which initiative fits your business? Write to us at edwin.methu@intellecap.net and our team will point you in the right direction.