Paul Arithi 
Left to right, Fabian Sukulu – Business Development Manager at B Lab Africa, Shameer Patel – Director, Retail & Business Banking at I&M Bank, Lucy Muigai – CEO of B Lab Africa, and Gauri Gupta – Group Director, Corporate Advisory and Sustainability at I&M Bank, pose for a photo following the MoU signing, marking the beginning of a strategic partnership focused on advancing sustainable and impact-driven business practices.
- I&M Bank Deepens SME Support with Capacity-Building Program in Partnership with B Lab Africa
- The programme aligns with the Bank’s broader commitment to enabling long- term growth within Kenya’s SME sector.
I&M Bank has announced a partnership with B Lab Africa to upskill Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through the Resilient Sustainable Business (RSB) program.
Muigai – CEO, B Lab Africa sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), formalizing a strategic partnership aimed at driving sustainable business practices and impact-led growth across the region.The agreement underscores a shared vision to empower enterprises that balance profit with purpose, strengthening collaboration between the banking sector and the sustainability ecosystem. The partnership is expected to accelerate support for businesses committed to environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and long-term economic resilience.
The RSB program run by B Lab Africa, is a nine-week blended learning experience designed to equip SMEs with expert guidance needed to integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices into their core strategies as well as practical tools and frameworks, to build resilient, sustainable, and future-ready business models.
The programme is scheduled to commence in March 2026 and targets established businesses with annual revenues between KES 6 million and KES 120 million and teams of 10 to 100 employees.
customers of I&M Bank — interact with Shameer Patel and Lucy Muigai during the I&M
Bank x B Lab Africa partnership announcement at Hyatt Regency Nairobi Westlands on 4th March 2026.
These are enterprises that have moved beyond proof of concept and are now scaling operations, expanding market reach, and strengthening internal infrastructure.
Muigai – CEO, B Lab Africa engage in conversation moments before the official MoU
signing ceremony.
The leaders shared a light yet focused discussion ahead of formalizing the strategic
partnership, signaling a shared commitment to advancing sustainable business practices and responsible banking across the region. The MoU marks a significant step toward fostering impact-driven enterprises and strengthening collaboration between the financial sector and the sustainability ecosystem in Africa.
Through this initiative, I&M Bank aims to strengthen the capacity of SMEs within its ecosystem, supporting their transition towards more sustainable and resilient operations.
Muigai – CEO of B Lab Africa – pose for a photo after signing the MoU, marking a strategic
partnership to advance sustainable and impact-driven business growth.
The programme aligns with the Bank’s broader commitment to enabling long-term growth within Kenya’s SME sector.
Speaking during the launch ceremony, I&M Bank Director Retail and Business Banking Shameer Patel said, “We are delighted to continue empowering our SME clients through this transformative partnership with B Lab Africa.
Muigai – CEO of B Lab Africa – pose for a photo after signing the MoU, marking a strategic
partnership to advance sustainable and impact-driven business growth.
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.”
The initiative aims to nurture a new generation of African businesses that measure success not only by financial returns, but also by clear environmental and social impact.
It focuses on high-impact sectors such as Manufacturing, Agri-Tech, the Circular Economy, Green Energy, and Sustainable Consumer Brands.
B Lab Africa CEO, Lucy Muigai said, “Our partnership with I&M Bank is a testament to the growing movement of businesses in Africa that are committed to a higher standard of accountability.
By integrating ESG into the heart of SME operations, we are not just helping individual companies survive; we are building a more inclusive and regenerative economic system across the continent.
These entrepreneurs are the blueprint for a future where corporate success is inextricably linked to the wellbeing of our communities and the planet.”
Through this partnership, participating SMEs will benefit from a hybrid learning model with expert-led Modules covering six comprehensive sessions covering Impact Measurement, Sustainable Supply Chains, and Financing Sustainable Consumer Brands Sustainable Practices.
Other benefits include bi-monthly one on one calls to provide tailored guidance and accountability and peer networking with a community of likeminded business leaders across Kenya, South Africa, Mauritius, and Nigeria.
I&M Bank will sponsor 80% of the programme cost per participant (USD 240), with each SME contributing the remaining 20% (USD 60).
