Africa SME Summit
Wednesday 30 September 2026
Chandaria Centre for Performing Arts, University of Nairobi
One day, thirty September
7.4 million enterprises.
One of them is yours.
Kenya’s small businesses carry 80% of the workforce and almost none of the support. This is the day they meet the capital, the buyers, the county governments and the thirteen universities that can actually move them forward — in one room, in one day.
On stage
The people you came to meet
Five names, one room, and a whole day to get to them.
Ms. Susan Ndungu
Head of SME Banking
NCBA Bank
Eng. Mike Mutungi
Founder & CEO
I Choose Life – Africa
Mr. Michael Maddy
CRO and Co-Founder
Fleet Planner
Dr. Henry K. Yatich
Principal, Graduate Studies
Mount Kenya University
Mr. Victor Sila
Founder
JuaPath
Speaking slots
There is room on the programme for one more.
Propose a session →One day to attend
Built differently for three kinds of visitor
Same summit, three different reasons to be here — pick the one that matches why you are coming.
Business owners
You run an SME
Meet the person who runs SME banking at NCBA. Put a university research team on a problem in your business. Show your product to four county governments in one afternoon.
- ✓Capital and market access
- ✓Research support at no cost to you
- ✓Buyers, banks and county government in one room
Universities
You teach or research
Submit a paper through the call. Place your students on live enterprise problems that count towards their qualification. Join 13 universities already in the programme.
- ✓Papers call and publishing
- ✓Student placement into real businesses
- ✓Industry partners for ongoing research
Corporates & county
You serve the SME sector
This is where the businesses you are trying to reach spend the day. Exhibit, speak, or sponsor a track — and meet enterprises already screened through the ICL programme.
- ✓Exhibition and speaking slots
- ✓Profile to 10,000+ across ICL platforms
- ✓Direct access to screened enterprises
Why people give up a working day
Five reasons the summit is worth it
Not five features — five things people actually leave with.
01
Capital
The head of SME banking at NCBA is in the room, and so are the funds and guarantee schemes most owners have never been walked through.
02
Research
Thirteen universities looking for live enterprise problems. Bring yours and leave with a team on it.
03
Buyers
Four county governments participating, plus the corporates who procure from businesses this size.
04
Proof
The gallery walk puts your product in front of people who can place an order, not just admire it.
05
The room
Everyone here runs or serves a small business in Kenya. No tourists.
The running order
30 September, hour by hour
- 08:00Registration & morning networkingExhibition stands open
- 09:00Opening keynoteThe state of Kenya's SME sector
- 10:00Industry–academia panelHow research reaches an enterprise
- 11:00Track sessions — first roundSix parallel tracks
- 13:00Lunch & gallery walkProducts on display
- 14:00Track sessions — second roundSix parallel tracks
- 15:30Business pitch forumEnterprises meet capital
- 17:00Closing & networkingCommuniqué and next steps
Indicative. Final programme published in September.
Six tracks
Pick what your business actually needs
01
Finance, Capital & Investment
Where the money actually is, and what lenders need to see from you.
02
Market access & Cross-border trade
Getting your product past the county line and across the border.
03
Talent & Human Resource acquisition with safeguarding
Hiring well, and the safeguarding duties that come with it.
04
Adopting AI and Technology
What is worth adopting this year for growth and efficiency, and what is noise.
05
Industry and Academia collaboration
Putting a university research team on a problem in your business.
06
Kenya Entrepreneurship Ecosystem strengthening
The policy, the funds, and the institutions you should know by name.
Tickets
Book before 31 August and save KES 1,000
Early bird
Until 31 August
KES5,800
- ✓Full-day access to all six tracks
- ✓Innovation Expo and gallery walk
- ✓Lunch and refreshments
- ✓Delegate pack and certificate
Standard
From 1 September
KES6,800
- ✓Full-day access to all six tracks
- ✓Innovation Expo and gallery walk
- ✓Lunch and refreshments
- ✓Delegate pack and certificate
Student
Valid student ID required
KES2,000
- ✓Full-day access to all six tracks
- ✓Innovation Expo and gallery walk
- ✓Lunch and refreshments
- ✓Bring your student ID to registration
Exhibiting or sponsoring? Booths from KES 30,000 and packages from KES 125,000.
Group rate for four or more from one organisation — ask us for a code.
2026 partners
Convened alongside
- Government of Kenya
- Sverige
- University of Nairobi
- Sustainable World Corporation
- Children's Mission
- Access
- Mount Kenya University
- ASSEK
- Zetech University
Partner logos to replace this text grid.
Before you book
Questions
- Is lunch included?
- Yes. Every ticket includes lunch and refreshments through the day.
- Can I send a colleague instead?
- Yes. Tickets are transferable up to 48 hours before the summit — send us both names on the contact page.
- Is there parking at the University of Nairobi?
- Parking is available on the Main Campus. Arrive by 08:00, as spaces fill before the opening keynote.
- Do exhibitors need a separate ticket?
- The exhibitor package includes two delegate passes. Additional team members need standard tickets.
- Will I get a certificate?
- Yes. Certificates of participation are issued to all delegates at the close.
- How do I submit a paper?
- Submit an abstract on the call for papers page — it lists the tracks and the review timeline.
- Is there a group rate?
- Yes, for four or more from the same organisation. Ask on the contact page and we will send you a code.
One day. One room. Bring the business.
Wednesday 30 September 2026 · Chandaria Centre for Performing Arts, University of Nairobi
#SMESUMMITKE