Four groundbreaking startups have emerged as winners of the Sankalp Africa Awards 2025, a prestigious recognition of African enterprises dedicated to tackling the continent’s most pressing social and economic challenges.
The awards were presented during the 12th Sankalp Africa Summit, held at the Edge Convention Centre in Nairobi, an event that attracted over 1,500 investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers from across Africa and beyond. The summit, hosted by Intellecap, part of the Aavishkaar Group, aimed to scale African entrepreneurship by providing access to funding, market linkages, and mentorship opportunities.
Meet the 2025 Sankalp Africa Awards Winners
Overall Winner – Kilimo Fresh Foods Africa (Tanzania)
Led by Founder Baraka Chijenga, Kilimo Fresh Foods Africa operates an innovative B2B2C marketplace that connects farmers, consumers, businesses, and informal retailers to fresh produce using mobile technology. The startup’s digital platform is transforming food distribution in Tanzania, ensuring farmers receive fair prices while consumers access fresh, affordable produce.
First Runner-Up – Bena Care (Kenya)
Founded by Naomi Monari, Bena Care is a health-tech startup providing affordable home-based nursing and therapy services to chronically ill patients in middle- and low-income communities. Additionally, Bena Care trains caregivers, offering them an opportunity to earn a sustainable income while bridging the healthcare gap in underserved regions.
Second Runner-Up – Dawa Mkononi (Tanzania)
Founded by Joseph Paul, Dawa Mkononi is a healthcare startup leveraging technology to streamline medicine distribution across Africa. By tackling supply chain inefficiencies, the startup is improving access to essential medicines in remote and underserved areas, making healthcare more accessible and affordable.
Special Ecosystem Award – Organic Fields (Kenya)
The Sankalp Ecosystem Award, determined through voting by impact ecosystem stakeholders, went to Organic Fields, led by Founder and CEO Richard Mwangi. The Kenyan-based social enterprise converts food waste from municipal markets into organic fertilizer, promoting sustainable agriculture, soil health, and environmental conservation.
Kenya’s Growing Influence in Innovation & Impact Entrepreneurship
Nairobi continues to cement its position as East Africa’s startup hub, and the Sankalp Africa Summit 2025 reaffirmed Kenya’s leadership in impact entrepreneurship and investment. In 2023, Kenya’s startup ecosystem attracted over $1.2 billion in venture capital, underscoring its dynamic and growing entrepreneurial landscape.
Key Takeaways from the Sankalp Africa Summit 2025
- Impact at Scale: The event showcased how African startups are leveraging technology, innovation, and sustainability to solve economic and social challenges.
- Funding Opportunities: Investors from around the globe engaged with startups, exploring potential funding and partnership opportunities.
- Cross-Sector Collaborations: Discussions centered on how private and public sectors can work together to catalyze sustainable development in Africa.
Expert Insights from Intellecap
Karnika Yadav, Partner & Director at Intellecap Africa, emphasized the transformative impact of the Sankalp Africa Awards:
“The Sankalp Africa Awards 2025 has truly been an enriching experience. Meeting hundreds of impact enterprises whose business promise and potential is crucial to solving economic and development challenges across the continent has been inspiring. The winners demonstrate the ability to drive action, catalyze collaborations, and influence positive outcomes.”
Strategic Partnerships Driving Change
The 12th Sankalp Africa Summit was backed by key global partners, including:
- African Development Bank (AfDB)
- World Bank
- Villgro Africa
- Jhpiego
- Health Finance Coalition
- Grand Challenges Canada
- Boehringer Ingelheim
- Business for Health Solutions
- William Davidson Institute
- Viya
These partnerships are driving catalytic capital investments and facilitating discussions on people-centric solutions to Africa’s most intractable social challenges.
The success of the Sankalp Africa Awards 2025 is a testament to the resilience, creativity, and ingenuity of African entrepreneurs. As investment in African startups continues to grow, initiatives like the Sankalp Africa Summit play a crucial role in ensuring that innovation is directed towards impact-driven solutions that benefit communities across the continent.
