I&M Bank has strengthened its partnership with B Lab Africa to launch a capacity-building programme designed to empower Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Kenya with sustainable and resilient business practices.
The announcement was made on Wednesday morning in Nairobi. 2026 revealed that SMEs will be participating in the Resilient Sustainable Business (RSB) programme, a 9-week blend of online and offline learning experiences on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) integration into business strategies.
Designed for Growth, Stage Enterprises
The RSB programme fits the profile of businesses that are already established and have annual turnovers of between KES 6 million and KES 120 million and employment sizes of 10 to 100 employees.
Such businesses have proven that their products or services work, and they are now in the process of scaling up, entering new markets, and fortifying their systems.
Scheduled for March 2026, the programme is set to provide participants with hands, on practical knowledge, access to the experts, and a step, by, step guide for them to make their business models resilient and prepared for the future.
ESG Integration and Sustainable Growth at the Core of the Programme I&M Bank, through collaboration, would want to increase the impact of its interventions in the SME ecosystem by empowering them to be more sustainable in their operations and, at the same time, remain competitive.
At the launch event, I&M Bank Director of Retail & Business Banking, Shameer Patel, explained that the partnership is a sign of the Bank’s dedication to the growth of SMEs in the future.
“We are delighted to continue empowering our SME clients through this transformative partnership with B Lab Africa. Through this collaboration, we are intentionally investing in building stronger, more resilient SMEs that are equipped to adapt to evolving market dynamics and create sustainable long-term value. The programme will not only strengthen their operational resilience but also unlock new opportunities for inclusive and sustainable growth,” said Patel
The initiative highlights as a priority the sectors with high impact, such as Manufacturing, Agri, Tech, the Circular Economy, Green Energy, and Sustainable Consumer Brands.
Creating an Inclusive and Regenerative Economy
B Lab Africa CEO Lucy Muigai referred to the agreement as a part of a larger movement to change the way corporate success is viewed in Africa.
“Our collaboration with I&M Bank confirms the rising trend of African enterprises that are adopting a higher level of commitment and are willing to be held accountable for their actions.
By making ESG the core of SME’s business operations, we are not only ensuring the survival of the individual companies but at the same time laying the foundation for a more inclusive and regenerative economic system across the continent, ” she remarked.
Muigai further pointed out that the entrepreneurs engaged in this programme are a model of how corporate success will in the future be very much intertwined with social and environmental wellness.
Hybrid Learning Model and Financial Support
The participating SMEs will enjoy a hybrid learning mode of delivery with six comprehensive expert-led modules spanning areas such as Impact Measurement, Sustainable Supply Chains, and Financing Sustainable Practices.
More than that, they will have two monthly one-on-one advisory calls for custom-made guidance and accountability and also peer networking with business leaders from Kenya, South Africa, Mauritius, and Nigeria.
To make the programme more accessible, I&M Bank plans to cover 80 per cent of the programme cost per participant, which is equivalent to USD 240, with each SME paying the remaining 20 per cent (USD 60).
This move fits in with the Bank’s overall strategy of building resilient enterprises that can lead to inclusive economic growth in Kenya’s SME sector and beyond.