Nourishing Communities
MSMEs make up the majority of food vendors in low- and middle-income countries, directly shaping what families eat every day. Their decisions determine which foods reach the plate
GAIN Marks
World MSME Day 2026
GAIN is spotlighting the micro, small, and medium enterprises helping make nutritious foods more available, affordable, and accessible — for everyone
22nd-27th June 2026
___WHY MSMES MATTER
Small Businesses.
Enourmous Impact.
MSMEs play a vital role in nutrition, employment, and local economic growth. Across food value chains, they connect producers to consumers and help determine whether nutritious foods can reach the people who need them most.
Yet many MSMEs face barriers such as limited finance, weak logistics, post-harvest losses, fragmented markets, and limited access to digital tools. Supporting them is critical to building more resilient, inclusive, and nutrition-sensitive food systems.
MSMEs are the backbone of food systems. Here's why they're the key to healthier diets for billions.
Driving Inclusive Growth
MSMEs generate millions of jobs along food value chains — especially for women and youth. Supporting these businesses builds economic resilience where it matters most.
Strengthening Food Systems
When MSMEs thrive, food systems become more diverse, adaptive, and equitable. They reduce losses, shorten supply chains, and ensure nutritious food reaches everyone.
___OUR FOCUS
World MSME Day 2026:
Six Priorities:
Nutritious foods
Increasing availability and affordability of diverse, safe nutritious foods through MSME supply chains.
Fruit & vegetable value chains
Supporting MSMEs handling fresh produce from farm to consumer to reduce losses and expand access.
Reduced food losses
Equipping MSMEs with tools and knowledge to cut post-harvest losses and improve food quality.
Youth opportunity
Creating pathways for young entrepreneurs to enter, innovate, and lead food systems businesses.
Innovation & digital tools
Leveraging technology to help MSMEs manage supply, reach customers, and improve traceability.
Healthier workplaces
Working with employers to ensure food-business workers access nutritious meals and health support.
Get Involved
What we're doing in 2026
Innovation Challenge
FreshValue Innovation Challenge
MSME innovation for healthier food systems in Uganda
We're calling on entrepreneurs and small businesses across fruit and vegetable value chains to pitch bold innovations that reduce food loss and expand access to nutritious produce. Winners receive funding, mentorship, and a platform to scale.
Workforce Nutrition
Workforce Nutrition Programme
Healthier workplaces, stronger businesses
Healthy workers are more productive workers. GAIN Uganda is implementing a Workplace Nutrition initiative aimed at improving employees’ access to nutritious diets and enhancing dietary diversity.
The program includes: Nutrition awareness sessions, Menu assessments and improvements and Continuous engagement with participating workplaces.
Campaign preview
Here’s what we’ve got planned for World MSME Day
The campaign is just getting started.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll share stories, insights, and opportunities to celebrate the MSMEs helping build healthier food systems.
As the campaign unfolds, we’ll spotlight the people, ideas, and partnerships showing how MSMEs can help make nutritious foods more available, affordable, and accessible.
01
Stories that put MSMEs at the centre
Real examples of entrepreneurs and small food businesses serving communities, creating jobs, and improving access to nutritious foods.
02
Ideas worth scaling
Innovations from across fruit and vegetable value chains that reduce food loss, improve quality, and strengthen local food systems.
03
Voices from the food system
Perspectives from entrepreneurs, partners, and leaders on what MSMEs need to grow, compete, and nourish more people.
04
Ways to join the conversation
Share campaign moments, messages, and calls to action with your networks, partners, and supporters as we mark World MSME Day.
Previous campaigns
Past MSME Day campaigns
2025
World MSME Day 2025
Revisit GAIN’s 2025 World MSME Day campaign and explore the stories, insights, and activities shared during the campaign.
2024
World MSME Day 2024
Look back at GAIN’s 2024 World MSME Day campaign and the work to spotlight MSMEs in healthier food systems.
Yetunde Olarewaju
Senior Associate, Planning & Communications