Mexico Energy Efficiency for SMEs
Mexico – SME Energy Efficiency
Tackling stereotypes in a male-dominated sector, increasing sustainable business skills and networking opportunities for women
Context
Since 2012, Mexico has strengthened its climate policy framework and committed under its NDCs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 22% by 2030 compared to business-as-usual levels. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which represent 98% of businesses, 75% of employment, and 50% of GDP, account for approximately 12% of national emissions and offer significant potential for energy efficiency improvements. However, access to finance remains a major constraint in enabling this transition, particularly for women-led enterprises.
In 2025, the Mexico – SME Energy Efficiency project continued to support SMEs in adopting energy-efficient technologies and accessing financing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while improving competitiveness and productivity.
A six-month mentoring programme implemented by NADBU A.C. supported 16 women-led micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises from Mexico City, Veracruz, and Hidalgo through the MANAS initiative (“Mujeres Acompañando Negocios y Ambientes Sustentables”).
The programme was designed to strengthen participants’ access to finance, improve their knowledge of energy efficiency and sustainable finance, and enhance their business management and leadership skills, while also fostering collaboration among women entrepreneurs. It combined three thematic modules (sustainable business models, energy efficiency and ESG, and sustainable finance) delivered through expert-led sessions, practical workshops, individual mentoring, and peer exchange, complemented by a focus on wellbeing and shared care responsibilities.
Overall, the initiative helped participants strengthen and professionalise their business models, adopt energy-efficient practices, and increase their capacity to engage with sustainable financial opportunities, while a supporting audiovisual publication is being developed to showcase their experiences and highlight the role of women entrepreneurs in the energy transition.
Why this matters
This project directly addressed two persistent barriers faced by women entrepreneurs in Mexico: limited access to finance and limited integration of sustainability and energy efficiency into small business operations.
By strengthening technical, financial, and leadership capacities, the programme enables women-led MSMEs to improve competitiveness, reduce operating costs through energy efficiency, and engage more effectively with sustainable finance mechanisms.
At the same time, it helps advance gender equality in the private sector by increasing women’s decision-making power and visibility in business and climate-related transitions, contributing to a more inclusive and low-carbon economy.