Africa’s SMEs drive 90% of business but can they thrive in the sustainability era?

In South Africa’s Western Cape, a boutique hotel and wine farm is grappling with rising insurance costs and increasing climate-related risks—from drought to wildfires. Through the Resilient Sustainable Business (RSB) Programme, the business learned to integrate environmental risk assessments into its strategy, helping it build both long-term sustainability and financial resilience.

This story reflects the broader reality for millions of African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). According to Visa Consulting and Analytics, SMEs represent 90% of all businesses and over 50% of global employment. In emerging economies, they contribute 40% of GDP and are expected to generate 90% of new jobs by 2030. Across South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria alone, there are over 52 million SMEs—many operating in tourism, retail, agriculture, and trade.

Yet despite their importance, most SMEs lack structured support to transition toward sustainable, inclusive growth. To thrive—not just survive—African businesses need tools, knowledge, and networks often out of reach. That’s where initiatives like the Resilient Sustainable Business (RSB) Programme come in.   RSB is a practitioner-led programme helping African business owners and executives align purpose with performance. Grounded in the globally recognized B Impact Assessment (BIA), it equips participants with actionable insights across governance, workers, communities, the environment, and customers. It also supports those pursuing B Corp Certification or broader ESG goals and offers practical tools to innovate responsibly.

Through expert sessions, peer learning, and a pan-African network, participants learn to:

•     Embed ESG principles in strategy
•     Build supply chain resilience
•     Measure and communicate impact
•     Strengthen financial decision-making
•     Build trust and navigate compliance   

Africa stands at a critical juncture. While the continent is rich in entrepreneurial energy, it faces systemic challenges—from climate change to fragile infrastructure and economic inequality. Today, this matters more than ever:

•     Africa contributes least to emissions but suffers most from environmental shocks.
•     Global standards are rising; ESG and ethical practices are now essential for trade, funding, and consumer trust.
•     With a median age under 20, job creation depends on businesses that serve society, not just shareholders.
•     Investors increasingly favor purpose-led enterprises with credible impact metrics.

The future belongs to resilient, sustainable, and purpose-driven businesses. RSB offers a practical pathway to get there.  

• “We must see beyond profit to build sustainable business models.” — Marie-Noelle Elissac-Foy, The Talent Factory, Mauritius
• “I now understand how our small actions impact our B Corp scores across governance, workers, and community.” — Irene Omune, Intrepid Travel, Kenya
•     “RSB’s networking opened doors to collaborations and fresh insights.” — Joyce Wangari, Mr. Green Africa, Kenya
•     “The program was an insightful overview of core MBA topics, especially supply chain management and branding.” — Eric Bell, Independent Consultant, Mauritius
•     “It equipped me with skills to drive sustainability in the retail sector.” — Audrey Rose, Super U, Mauritius
•     “We’ve shifted from seeing sustainability as just a value to making it a measurable, operational strategy.” — Armand Fouche, Mo’s Crib, South Africa.