In the framework of the Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme (PSUP) the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and its government partners from the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) are organizing a three-day High-Level Private Sector Partnership Forum from 27 to 29 May 2020 in Nairobi, Kenya.

The objective of the Forum is to explore innovative and investable solutions to the challenges experienced in slums and informal settlements in cities in Kenya, Senegal, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Republic of Congo and Rwanda. The event will provide a platform for matching the needs and demands of cities and residents with innovative and established solutions from companies, industry experts, investors, financial institutions and start-ups.

We are looking for companies, start-ups, finance institutions and innovators to present their best practices, innovations, products and solutions. The forum which will bring together approximately 100 participants from national and local governments, community representatives, technical experts, international and local private sector companies, financial institutions, investors and development cooperation agencies.

The areas of interest are sustainable solutions to water, sanitation, waste management, construction, affordable and green housing, energy, mobility, transportation, small scale business development, microfinance, community managed funds and the maintenance of services and infrastructure. The areas of entry are manifold if the services support and empower the urban poor communities they will serve.

Plenary and group sessions will afford companies, start-ups, financial institutions and innovators the opportunity to discuss and share their best practices, innovative products and solutions with governments. The forum will facilitate the identification of prospects of collaboration between national and local governments, communities and companies with regards to applicable solutions in the thematic areas of focus. Around 40 companies will be selected to participate to present their solution. Participation is free, but companies must arrange their transportation and accommodation. Selected companies will be informed about their selection not later than End April 2020.

The forum will facilitate the identification of prospects of collaboration between national and local governments, communities and companies with regards to applicable solutions in the thematic areas of focus. Submitted solutions will be evaluated based on specified criteria, such as feasibility, applicability, innovation, affordability/pro- poor, upscaleability and environmental sustainability:

• Feasibility and Applicability/Transferability of the Solution / Product in the countries selected for the forum (Kenya,
Senegal, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Rwanda)? Does the company already operate in the country?
• Company offers a solution or product that is innovative and responding to the needs of the urban poor?
• Affordability for the Municipality and the target community: Company developed a financing model to share the product with the urban poor OR the Solution / Product is affordable for urban poor?
• Is the solution or product upscale-able and able to target a wider population? Technically, financially.
• Is the company already working in urban poor areas and in informal settlements with solutions that are upscaleable?
• Is the Solution / Product environmentally sustainable / green / eco-friendly?

Please express your interest by registering and submitting your solution online through this registration page.

For more information, please contact: unhabitat-psup@un.org