Business expo puts innovation at heart of SME growth agenda
Small businesses are turning to innovation to strengthen their competitiveness, as entrepreneurs and business leaders prepare to meet at the Business & Innovation Expo 2026.
The expo, organised by BNI Nairobi South, is scheduled for September 11 at The Waterfront Karen and is expected to bring together more than 1,000 entrepreneurs, SMEs, investors, innovators and business executives.
The event will provide a platform for businesses to showcase new products and services, explore digital solutions and identify opportunities for partnerships, customers and suppliers.
Among the speakers will be Tonee Ndungu, founder of Kytabu, a digital platform focused on expanding access to knowledge and opportunities.
His participation is expected to highlight the role of technology and digital innovation in creating new business models and expanding access to markets.
Graeme Reid, chief executive of Tilisi Developments, will also headline the programme, bringing a perspective from the property and business development sector.
The expo will feature keynote sessions, expert discussions, innovation showcases and exhibitor engagements, alongside networking opportunities involving businesses from different sectors.
For SMEs, organisers say the event will go beyond showcasing products to creating opportunities to connect with potential customers, suppliers, investors and strategic partners.
Antony Njenga, Co-Executive Director of BNI Nairobi South, said the focus was on ensuring that business connections translate into tangible commercial opportunities.
“We want people to leave the Expo with more than a collection of business cards. We want them to leave with new ideas, new relationships, new opportunities and conversations that can translate into real business outcomes,” he said.
The emphasis on innovation comes as businesses increasingly face the need to differentiate their products, improve efficiency and find new ways of reaching customers. Digital tools are providing SMEs with opportunities to streamline operations, market products and services and develop new ways of engaging with consumers.
The expo, themed “Accelerate, Innovate, Lead,” will bring together businesses and professionals from diverse industries, providing a platform for firms to exchange ideas and demonstrate solutions aimed at supporting business growth.
Organisers expect the event to attract more than 1,000 participants, with the programme culminating in a Business Networking Cocktail bringing together business leaders, exhibitors, sponsors and other participants.
The expo, scheduled for September 11 at The Waterfront Karen, is expected to bring together more than 1,000 entrepreneurs, SMEs, investors, innovators and corporate executives, with innovation and business growth forming a central part of the discussions.
