MESPT Strengthens Global Partnerships to Advance Inclusive Finance and Climate-Resilient Agriculture

The Micro Enterprises Support Programme Trust (MESPT) continues to deepen strategic global partnerships aimed at advancing inclusive finance, climate resilience, and sustainable agricultural transformation in line with its 2026–2030 Strategic Plan.

During a series of high-level engagements in London, Geneva, and Zurich, the MESPT delegation held discussions with leading investment firms, development partners, climate finance institutions, and global business leaders to explore innovative financing approaches, strengthen partnerships, and unlock opportunities for agri-MSMEs and rural enterprises across Kenya.

At the Commonwealth Trade and Investment Summit 2026 held at the historic Mansion House in London, the MESPT delegation led by Board of Trustees Chairman Noah Meely, CEO Rebecca Amukhoye, and Head of Fundraising and Partnerships Eric Njoroge engaged with key stakeholders from across the Commonwealth ecosystem.

The summit brought together Heads of Government, Ministers, investors, and senior business leaders from across the 56 Commonwealth countries under the theme “Commonwealth Solutions to Global Challenges.” Discussions focused on sustainable energy transitions, infrastructure investment, artificial intelligence, health technologies, creative industries, and the evolving global financial landscape.

As part of the summit engagements, the MESPT delegation met with the High Commissioner of Kenya to the United Kingdom, Makoloo Maurice, to discuss opportunities for strengthening partnerships that support sustainable development, trade, and investment in Kenya’s agricultural sector.

The delegation also interacted with several global leaders and investors, including James Mworia, Veronica Pickering, Bimal Kantaria, Sasha Kazantseva-Miller, and Ali Monjack.

The MESPT delegation further engaged with The Commonwealth Secretariat through discussions with Suresh Yadav at Marlborough House in London. Conversations explored alignment between national climate finance strategies and programme delivery, particularly in structuring climate-aligned agricultural finance and strengthening policy influence.

The discussions also highlighted the upcoming 11th Our Ocean Conference scheduled to take place in Mombasa from 16–18 June 2026, further reinforcing the growing importance of climate resilience and blended finance within agricultural development.

Beyond the summit, MESPT held strategic engagements with global investment and development institutions whose priorities align closely with MESPT’s Vision 2030 ambition of building inclusive, climate-resilient agri-food systems.

In London, the MESPT team met with representatives from TLG Capital, including Investment Professional Nick Blumenthal. Discussions explored opportunities to mobilise private sector capital into agricultural value chains and rural enterprises through flexible financing models targeting underserved businesses across emerging markets.

The team also engaged Shell Foundation through meetings with Meera Shah and Tanya Kothari. Discussions focused on scalable, market-based solutions that strengthen enterprise-driven approaches within agricultural value chains while supporting inclusive economic growth and climate resilience.

In Geneva, MESPT held strategic discussions with Symbiotics Investments SA represented by Katerina Ermidou and Ksenia Khlopushina. The engagement explored approaches to financial sustainability, inclusion, and scale, particularly around structuring debt facilities and investment vehicles targeting SACCOs and agri-MSMEs.

In Zurich, MESPT met with responsAbility Investments AG, represented by Antonia Schäli. The discussions focused on catalysing climate finance and private capital towards underserved rural economies while strengthening climate resilience and sustainable food systems.

These engagements reflect MESPT’s continued commitment to building strategic partnerships that mobilise capital, strengthen financial inclusion, and accelerate the transition towards resilient and sustainable agri-food systems that create meaningful economic opportunities for farmers, agri-MSMEs, women, and youth across Kenya.