Nairobi — Three Kenyan startups were among five continental winners recognised at the Africa Entrepreneurship Awards 2026 held at the Sarit Expo Centre.
The awards were presented during the 13th Sankalp Africa Summit, convened by Aavishkaar Group, Intellecap and the Sankalp Forum, bringing together over 1,000 entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers from more than 50 countries.
Kenyan firms clinched top honours in three categories. Rio Fish Ltd won the AgriTech award for its sustainable aquaculture model. M-Taka Solutions took the Circular Tech award for digitising waste collection and recycling systems, while Malaica AG secured the HealthTech award for its maternal healthcare platform.
“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.
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“Each winner embodies the courage to reimagine systems and the conviction to deliver impact where it matters most.”
Syna Dehnugara, Director at Sankalp Forum, said the awards signal a 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, noting that collaboration across African markets is accelerating.
Other continental winners included Nigeria’s Sosai Renewable Energies Ltd in ClimateTech and Somo Africa Trust in FinTech, which operates across Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda supporting micro and small enterprises.
The strong showing by Kenyan startups reinforced Nairobi’s position as a key hub for innovation and venture growth in Africa.