The International Council for Small Business marks 70 years of impact with its World Congress in Cairo, Egypt, November 24-28, 2025. Hosted at the American University in Cairo, this milestone event brings together researchers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers under the theme “Innovation Unleashed: Empowering MSMEs for a Resilient Future.”
Why Cairo, Why Now
Egypt’s entrepreneurial landscape offers the ideal backdrop for examining how micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises navigate digital transformation and global supply chain disruptions. The country’s strategic location, linking Africa, Asia, and Europe, mirrors the international scope of challenges facing small businesses worldwide.
Program Highlights
The five-day Congress balances academic research with practical applications:
Opening Days (Nov 24-25): Pre-Congress networking leads into the Opening Ceremony and Marketplace Expo, featuring sessions on humane entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence applications, and global scaling strategies for SMEs.
Core Congress (Nov 26): Parallel programming across five tracks – ICSB Academy, SME Forum, Women CEOs Forum, Marketplace, and World Congress sessions. Topics span the future of work, disruptive technologies, inclusive finance, and sustainable innovation. The day concludes with a competitive pitching session.
Research Focus (Nov 27): Participants choose between field tours of Cairo’s entrepreneurship hubs or intensive research sessions covering innovation, sustainability, and ecosystem development. The ICSB 70th Anniversary Awards Gala recognizes outstanding contributions to the field.
Closing (Nov 28): A visit to Hazel Farm demonstrates agricultural innovation, followed by an emerging entrepreneur showcase.
Research Tracks and Publication
The Congress encompasses traditional entrepreneurship research alongside emerging areas, such as circular economy models, digital platforms, and regenerative business practices. Research spans:
- Digital entrepreneurship and technology innovation
- Green business models and climate solutions
- Inclusive finance and capital access
- Ecosystem building and policy development
- Women’s entrepreneurship leadership
Accepted presentations will be invited to submit full papers to the Journal of the International Council for Small Business, providing global reach for research findings.
Registration and Impact (CLICK HERE)
The Congress welcomes academics, practitioners, policymakers, and students focused on small business development. Multiple submission formats accommodate research papers, workshops, teaching cases, and practical experiences.
As Egypt demonstrates how emerging economies leverage innovation for growth, the Cairo Congress positions itself as essential for anyone working to support the small enterprises that drive global economic development. Registration details and submission guidelines are available through the official ICSB portal.