Valle del Cauca is undergoing a deep economic transformation driven by micro, small, and medium enterprises (mipymes), technology adoption, and leadership in artificial intelligence. According to the Cali Chamber of Commerce, 99.6% of businesses are mipymes generating employment and diversifying sectors like commerce and agribusiness. The Business Rhythm Survey shows optimism for the second half of 2025, with 49.6% expecting sales increases.
Valle del Cauca, Colombia's third economic engine, consolidates its position with over 155,000 active companies, of which 91.7% are microenterprises, 6.4% small, 1.5% medium, and 0.4% large. María del Mar Palau, president of the Cali Chamber of Commerce (CCC), highlights that these mipymes represent 99.6% of the business fabric and lead sectors like commerce (36%), industry (11%), and services (9.2%). The region ranks in the national top three for productivity and infrastructure, benefiting from Buenaventura port and free zones like Zonamerica.
Since 2018, the CCC has driven the Digital Transformation Route, training over 2,700 companies by 2024 with 974 digital tools. In 2024, 665 self-diagnoses were conducted, delivering 452 tools and 240 advisories, enabling 63.8% of participants to implement solutions with 74% improvements in capabilities. In artificial intelligence, the 2023 AI Strategy, in alliance with Platzi, trained 1,100 entrepreneurs from 700 companies, tripling frequent usage and reducing ignorance from 16% to 1%. Cali solidified as Colombia's national leader in business AI adoption in 2024, surpassing Bogotá and Medellín, with savings of 4.5 hours weekly per person and 60% investment intent in AI.
The Business Rhythm Survey (ERE 2025-I) reflects resilience: 73.6% maintained employment despite slowdown, and 49.6% expect rising sales in the second semester, led by industry (56.3%) and construction (22.9% in hiring). Buga leads optimism (55%), followed by Tuluá, Cali, and Palmira. From January to September 2025, 16,290 new companies were created and exports grew 17.2% in value. However, 77% of companies remain at initial digitalization levels, with challenges like uncertainty (16.7%) and lack of demand (18.8%).
Programs like ValleImpacta and the 2025-2035 Strategy aim to densify the business fabric, double per capita export GDP, and strengthen skills. Jacobo Tovar Caicedo of Comfandi emphasizes purpose-driven companies for sustainability and inclusion.
