SME Forum 2026: Powering Sustainable Growth and Resilient Enterprises

The SME Forum 2026 brought together 40 SME leaders across targeted value chains enterprise leaders, at a defining moment for Kenya’s agri-food system. Convened by the Micro Enterprises Support Programme Trust (MESPT) under the Green Employment in Agriculture Programme (GEAP), the forum created space not only to reflect progress made over the past five years, but also to reimagine the future of sustainable enterprise growth.

At the center of the conversation was a clear shift in mindset sustainability is no longer simply about compliance, but a strategic driver of business resilience, innovation, and long-term competitiveness. In her opening remarks, MESPT’s CEO challenged SMEs to embrace this transition, noting that while the operating environment continues to evolve, it also presents significant opportunities for enterprises willing to adapt and lead.

The forum highlighted the significant strides made under GEAP from 2021 to 2025. Across targeted agricultural value chains, over 1,400 decent jobs have been created, with a strong inclusion of youth and women, while more than 43,000 farmers have been linked to markets. These gains have been accompanied by a notable increase in productivity and profitability among smallholder farmers, as well as billions in additional sales generated through supporte enterprises.

Access to finance has also played a critical role, with SMEs and farmers benefiting from green and agricultural loans that have enabled investment in sustainable practices and business expansion. At the same time, thousands of farmers have been equipped with skills in climate- smart agriculture, food safety, and agribusiness, strengthening both the quality and competitiveness of their produce.

Beyond the numbers, the forum brought to life the real stories behind this progress. SMEs shared their journeys of transformation, demonstrating how sustainability is being embedded into everyday operations. From converting agricultural waste into animal feed, fertilizer, and renewable energy, to adopting solar solutions and improving water management systems enterprises are increasingly turning challenges into opportunities for value creation.

These experiences also revealed the realities SMEs continue to navigate, including limited access to affordable finance, high costs of green technologies, and evolving market requirements. Yet, through partnerships with MESPT and other ecosystem actors, many enterprises have been able to overcome these barriers, strengthening their capacity, expanding market access, and building more resilient business models.

Discussions at the forum further underscored the urgency of adapting to a rapidly changing global environment. Climate change, shifting consumer preferences, and resource constraints are reshaping markets, requiring businesses to become more agile, innovative, and forward-looking. For SMEs, this means embedding sustainability at the core of their operations while strengthening partnerships that can unlock new opportunities for growth.

As the GEAP programme approaches its close, the forum provided a forward-looking lens on what comes next. SMEs emphasized the need for continued support in accessing finance, strengthening market linkages, and adopting green technologies, alongside sustained mentorship and capacity building. In response, MESPT reaffirmed its commitment to supporting enterprise growth beyond GEAP, including facilitating market exposure opportunities, strengthening business service providers, and creating platforms for continued dialogue on climate and enterprise development.

The SME Forum 2026 ultimately reinforced a powerful message SMEs are not only participants in Kenya’s green transition, but key drivers of it. With the right support systems, partnerships, and investments, they hold the potential to create jobs, strengthen value chains, and build a more inclusive and climate-resilient economy.

As the conversations from the forum continue to shape future action, one thing remains clear: the pathway to resilience is already being built, one enterprise at a time.