LiquidTrust™ is a payments innovation company serving financial institutions, B2B platforms, and SMBs globally.
Artificial intelligence is becoming a practical tool for small businesses participating in international trade.
For micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, or MSMEs, expanding internationally has traditionally required access to market intelligence, regulatory knowledge, trusted partners, and operational resources that many smaller businesses simply do not have. AI is helping close those gaps.
The 2026 ICC-ITC-WTO Small Business Champions Competition demonstrates how innovative organizations are using AI to help MSMEs overcome barriers, make better decisions, and compete more confidently in global markets.
Why This Competition Matters
MSMEs are the backbone of the global economy. According to the United Nations, they account for approximately 90% of businesses worldwide, 60–70% of employment, and around half of global GDP.
Yet many still face obstacles when expanding internationally, including limited access to market information, complex regulations, fragmented supply chains, and financing constraints.
Recognizing these challenges, the International Chamber of Commerce, International Trade Centre, and World Trade Organization created the Small Business Champions Competition to recognize practical innovations that help MSMEs participate more actively in global trade.
The 2026 competition focused on one technology with enormous potential to level the playing field: artificial intelligence.
AI in Action
This year's winners demonstrate that AI is no longer a future concept. It is already solving real business challenges across the trade journey.
Rinato Space of Zambia uses AI and satellite technology to provide early-warning systems and capacity-building services for smallholder farmers and agribusinesses, helping them reduce losses and improve trade outcomes.
Koaloo.Fi of France uses generative AI to automate environmental, social, and governance compliance, map supply chain risks, and turn verified business performance data into financing solutions for MSMEs.
The runners-up reinforce the same message.
The Globby of Türkiye is an AI-powered platform that helps MSMEs access trade intelligence and participate more effectively in international markets.
CCIT and CIPE of Colombia are developing a roadmap for AI governance in Latin America, including AI toolkits and affordable access solutions for MSMEs.
Although each project tackles a different challenge, they all share a common goal: making international trade more accessible for smaller businesses.
What This Means for MSMEs
International trade has traditionally depended on experience, networks, and access to reliable information. AI is helping democratize those capabilities.
Today, businesses can increasingly use AI to:
- Identify export opportunities
- Improve supply chain planning
- Simplify regulatory compliance
- Support ESG reporting
- Assess business and supply chain risks
- Make more informed business decisions
Every MSME will adopt AI differently, but one thing is becoming clear: AI is quickly becoming part of the toolkit for businesses that want to compete internationally.
The Next Opportunity
The progress highlighted by the 2026 Small Business Champions reflects an important shift. Technology is making it easier for businesses to discover markets, understand regulations, and prepare for international growth.
But international trade does not end when an opportunity is identified.
Once an MSME finds a buyer, supplier, distributor, or platform partner, attention turns to another set of practical questions.
- Is this business legitimate?
- Are the commercial terms clear?
- How should payment be structured?
- What happens if goods are delayed or disputed?
- How can both parties move forward with confidence?
These questions determine whether an opportunity becomes a successful transaction.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 Small Business Champions demonstrate how AI is helping MSMEs access better information, improve planning, and participate more confidently in global trade.
As these technologies continue to evolve, another opportunity is emerging: helping businesses move from discovering international opportunities to completing transactions with confidence.
Finding a buyer is a major milestone. The next step is making sure the deal can be completed with trust, clarity, and confidence.
In our next article, we will explore exactly that: what happens after you have found the buyer, and how MSMEs can prepare for a successful international transaction.
