Despite global disruption, most leaders at small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) expect conditions for international business expansion to become more favourable in the next two to three years.
That is one key takeaway from Kreston Global’s Interpreneur Report 2026: Mapping the Route to Interpreneurial Success. The report, which surveyed more than 1,000 SME business leaders between February and March, found that respondents in 11 countries gave the current global expansion climate an average positivity score of 8.2 out of 10.
International entrepreneurship — coined “interpreneurship” by the report’s authors — describes the mindset of SME leaders eager to grow business beyond borders.
This optimism is not reserved for future moves. In fact, the report found that over half (57%) of leaders consider it “easy” for businesses to expand overseas at the moment. This compares with 27% who are more uncertain. Regional differences are striking: 89% in Nigeria and 82% in the US said it was easy to expand internationally, while the enthusiasm is much lower in Spain (35%) and Singapore (29%).
For business leaders, market growth opportunities remain the primary motivation for expanding internationally (59% vs. 52% in the previous such survey, in 2024), followed by access to digital technologies and innovation (40% vs. 31%); gaining a competitive advantage (40% vs. 36%); and market diversification (35% vs. 27%).
As momentum shifts from artificial intelligence (AI) experimentation towards embedding AI into everyday processes, 52% of leaders see adopting advanced technologies as a major opportunity going forward as they scale abroad, the report said. Two years ago, 90% of respondents agreed they were prepared to harness AI.
“Now, that readiness has translated into reality: Today nearly three-quarters (74%) reported that AI is having a significant impact on their organisation’s international expansion strategy,” the report said. Women (80% vs. 70% of men) and leaders age 44 and younger are more likely to rate AI’s impact as significant.
Geopolitics: A main area of concern for leaders
Despite a positive outlook about the future, geopolitical tensions are complicating global growth strategies for SMEs.
While 57% said tariffs and trade disputes have had a significant impact on their global strategy over the past one to two years, respondents looking ahead ranked geopolitical instability (45%) just ahead of tariff-related cost increases (40%) in terms of future threats.
Interest in the potential value of favourable policies on international expansion has grown since the survey two years ago. Now, 48% of SMEs are interested in whether favourable trade agreements exist, compared with 42% in 2024, and 39% said favourable tax regimes make a country attractive, up from 33% in 2024.
“While interpreneurs recognise the challenges that exist, they remain focused on seizing opportunity: to penetrate new markets, drive operational improvements, harness innovation, and sharpen their competitive edge as they go global,” the report said.
— To comment on this article or to suggest an idea for another article, contact Steph Brown at Stephanie.Brown@aicpa-cima.com.