By Anais Mangin, Project Manager, adelphi, Implementing the G20 Challenge Workshops on behalf of GIZ/BMZ and Karen Newman, Business Call to Action

With all eyes on Nairobi this month, it's important that the public and private sector continue to support the important work and transformation that the country is undergoing. Kenya continues to maintain one of the largest and most advanced economies in East Africa. In spite of the recent shooting tragedy, the country is exceptionally resilient and has steadily demonstrated impressive levels of entrepreneurial activity, continuing to attract a number of large multi-nationals as well as new venture investors. Nairobi itself continues to successfully position itself as a leading tech hub.

Recognizing the potential, the Governments of Germany and Saudi Arabia as co-facilitators of the G20 Pillar Private Investment and Job Creation are organizing an Inclusive Business Workshop this month in Nairobi. The G20 Inclusive Business Workshop Africa is part of the Development agenda of the G20 Group, the premier forum for international economic development between industrial and emerging-market countries. This event aims at fostering the spread of inclusive businesses in Africa through showcasing successful African examples of inclusive business, their solutions to the market challenges they face, and the partnerships they develop as part of their solutions. The workshop partners are the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Siemens Stiftung (Foundation), the United Nations Development Programme African Facility for Inclusive Markets (UNDP AFIM) and Business Call to Action.

The upcoming Workshop in Kenya has as its theme Scale, Replicate and Accelerate: Growing Inclusive Business in Africa. This forum will bring more than 150 influential representatives from the private sector, government, development and inclusive business community, meeting to discuss best practices, enablers and solutions for accelerating inclusive business models. The results of the workshop will be act as inputs to the G20 Development Working Group and serve as a basis for future policy recommendations on fostering inclusive business models.

The G20 Inclusive Business Workshop is a two-day event taking place on 29-30 October at the Hotel Hilton Nairobi. After a closed-door B2B workshop (*by invitation only), a Cross-Sector. Forum will offer a variety of opportunities for peer-learning and networking:

• Discussions with the G20 Challenge winners and further successful business leaders on scaling-up and replicating inclusive business models (businesses that combine significant business potential with development impacts)

• International forum to learn from successful business models and find out about the latest trends in inclusive businesses in Africa

• High-level public-private dialogue to create a favorable ecosystem for inclusive businesses Interactive sessions and inspiring keynotes with renowned business leaders, policy makers and inclusive business experts

• Insights into the innovative approaches of the winners of the empowering people. Award from the Siemens Stiftung (Foundation)

To learn more about Scale, Replicate, Accelerate: Growing Inclusive Businesses in Africa, visit www.g20challenge.com/workshop-africa/ or contact adelphi at g20challenge@adelphi.de

29-30 October 2013, Nairobi Kenya Hotel Hilton Nairobi