A total of 18 entrepreneurs and 11 outstanding SME Ecosystem enablers have been recognized through the KEPSA Annual SME Awards for demonstrating exceptional innovation, business excellence, resilience, and impact in their respective sectors.
Held as part of the Annual SME Conference under the theme “Beyond Survival: Building Smart and Resilient Businesses,” the two-day summit gathered over 1,500 delegates to address structural barriers in trade and equip local MSMEs with smart capital, digital skills, and cross-border expansion support.
The award is designed to drive enterprise growth while elevating national competitiveness, the awards honour achievements across two core pillars:
The Innovation Challenge, Celebrates SMEs that have commercialized smart solutions to navigate market demands, drive operational efficiency, and boost Kenya’s performance on the Global Innovation Index.
The Enabler Challenge, Honors outstanding organizations and institutions actively creating an enabling business environment through impactful initiatives, flexible capital, and dedicated support for private sector growth.
The full list of winners across the 2026 award categories includes:
Biashara Green Innovation Awards
Winner - Narropil Honey Enterprises Ltd
1st runners up - Seta Farm
2nd runners up - Fibertext Green Paper Ltd
Binti Chipukizi Business Innovation Award
Winner – Ecorich Solutions
1st runners up – SautiYetu - Sightra
2nd runners up – UMIHAZ Enterprises
Chipukizi Business Innovation Award
Winner - Mara Youth Agenda
1st runners up – Blesteire Beauty Kenya
2nd runners up – Obote Mixed Farm
Imara Business Innovation Award
Winner - Seven Twenty Holdings Ltd
1st runners up – Mathenge Maisha
2nd runners up – Eisen Industries Ltd
Malkia Business Innovation Awards
Winner - The School Box Limited
1st runners up – Zerobionic
2nd runners up – Alpharise Network Ventures
Biz Mashinani Innovation Awards
Winner – Kayce Crafts
1st runners up – Aupwal rabbits
2nd runners up – IkoBiz
SME Ecosystem Enabler of the Year
Winner: Sisters Blended Value Project, Strathmore Business School
1st Runners Up: Capital Connect
2nd Runners Up: Effulge Consulting Group (EGC)
SME Inclusivity and Sustainability Champion of the Year
Winner: Hashash Weavers Center for Women and Girlchild Empowerment
1st Runners Up: Sustainable Kenya
2nd Runners Up: B Lab Africa
SME Market Access & Trade Facilitation Champion of the Year
Winner: Ethical Trade Services
1st Runners Up: Tunza Trade
SME Innovation & Incubation Champion of the Year – Mt Kenya University Rep
Winner: Eldo Hub
1st Runners Up: Afrifortified
2nd Runners Up: Nakuru Box
Beyond cash prizes, winners of the KEPSA SME Innovation Excellence Awards will receive technical assistance, market access opportunities, and strategic financial linkages designed to help scale their solutions and thrive in dynamic economic conditions. This ecosystem support comes at a critical moment for the nation. Kenya’s performance in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025 provides both a reality check and an opportunity for reflection. Ranked 102nd out of 139 economies, Kenya is outside the world’s top innovators but remains competitive within its income category and regional context.
The country ranks 17th among 37 lower middle income economies and 9th out of 32 Sub Saharan African countries. While these rankings place Kenya respectably in Africa, the trend over time is concerning: Kenya ranked 86th in 2020, 85th in 2021, 88th in 2022, 100th in 2023, 96th in 2024, and 102nd in 2025. This gradual decline reflects the need to strengthen innovation ecosystems, particularly through investment in research, education and digital infrastructure.
