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Every year on 27 June, the world commemorates Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Day, recognising the vital role small businesses play in driving economic growth, creating employment, and fostering innovation. The 2026 theme, “Empowering MSMEs through Innovation and Sustainable Industrial Development,” emphasises the importance of innovation in strengthening the competitiveness and resilience of MSMEs while promoting environmentally sustainable and resource-efficient business practices. It also highlights the need for enabling ecosystems that provide entrepreneurs with greater access to finance, technology, digital tools, skills development, and markets, empowering MSMEs to scale their impact and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
For Ola Dybvadskog, a Venture Consultant with BioInnovate Africa, the journey into eastern Africa’s innovation ecosystem began with curiosity. After studying entrepreneurship in Europe and co-founding a biotechnology startup, he travelled to Kenya seeking to understand where entrepreneurial opportunities existed. Working with BioInnovate Africa exposed him to an innovation ecosystem built on biobased research and regional collaboration. From technologies tackling coffee wilt disease to livestock health solutions developed from pineapple waste and innovations in biofertilizers, biopesticides, and insect-based technologies. “Researchers in Africa should not be underestimated – they are really talented,” says Ola, noting that many of these innovations are solving problems that extend far beyond Africa’s borders.
However, Ola also notes that the success of MSMEs depends on much more than breakthrough technologies. He highlights that one of the biggest barriers facing sustainable enterprises is what he calls the “scaling paradox.” While innovative technologies often perform well during pilot stages, scaling them into commercially viable businesses presents entirely different challenges. Access to reliable feedstock, production infrastructure, supply chains and affordable manufacturing becomes critical as businesses grow. He believes sustainable enterprises must also confront a difficult commercial reality.“Sustainability is a feature, but price is the product,” he explains.
For many smallholder farmers across eastern Africa, affordability outweighs environmental benefits, regardless of how effective a sustainable product may be. “Unless the product can compete on price, it will have a difficult time,” Ola says. “The smallholder farmers do not have the luxury to pay more for a sustainable product.” These realities reinforce the need for stronger support systems around MSMEs. Strategic investments, enabling policies, and well-designed business support programmes can help enterprises overcome early-stage barriers and build businesses that become financially sustainable.
This year’s MSMEs Day also recognises the growing role of human-centred entrepreneurship in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). Ola believes that rather than replacing human expertise, AI enables innovators to refine ideas, explore markets, and strengthen business concepts before seeking expert guidance. “AI is really unlocking expert-level knowledge for people,” he observes while encouraging innovators to combine AI-generated insights with validation from experienced professionals.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, Ola’s advice is grounded in the fundamentals of venture creation. “Master the basics of venture creation and business. What is your value proposition? Why should I care what you’re selling? Is there a fit between your product and the market?” he asks. Understanding customer needs, validating market demand, and achieving product-market fit remain the cornerstones of successful enterprise development. He also encourages founders to pursue sustainable growth and seek investors who contribute expertise alongside funding, because “they should give you something more than money.”
Listen to Ola’s full podcast interview below.
Ola discussing with Shira Mukiibi, BioInnovate Africa Business Development Manager
