The government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as a catalyst for inclusive economic transformation, job creation, and regional trade integration.
Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development Cabinet Secretary (CS), Wycliffe Oparanya, has underlined the urgency of placing MSMEs at the centre of Kenya’s economic agenda.
Speaking at a Nairobi hotel, during the Eastern Country MMSE Fair, Oparanya said although it had existed for over two decades, there has been inadequate documentation of its long-term impact.
“The fair, a vital platform for small businesses for 26 years, deserves a comprehensive evaluation for its impact on innovation, trade, and enterprise development,” he said.
The CS announced that Kenya will host the next Twin Fair in Nairobi, a decision reached after regional consultations during his recent visit to South Sudan, and expressed Kenya’s readiness to lead regional MSME development.
“To support MSMEs effectively, we must improve financing models and create a more facilitative environment through coordinated reforms and stakeholder engagement,” he said.
In her remarks, MSME Development PS, Susan Mangeni, reiterated the government’s dedication to transforming the MSME sector through the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
“MSMEs are the heartbeat of Kenya’s economy. Through BETA, we are rolling out policy and regulatory reforms to formalise businesses, improve market linkages, and digitise service delivery,” said Mangeni.
The PS, emphasized the importance of supporting entrepreneurs with real time data, training, and financing, and urged financial institutions to develop inclusive and flexible products that reflect the realities of small enterprises.
“Our role is to remove the barriers. Financial inclusion must be tailored, not repackaged, for MSMEs. We urge financial actors to walk this journey with us,” she said.
Furthermore, the PS called for harmonisation of MSME support programmes across counties and encouraged entrepreneurs to embrace formalisation and digital adoption to improve their competitiveness and sustainability.
Concurrently, Richard Muteti, the Regional Project Manager for EAC MSMEs, praised Kenya’s pioneering role in the development and advancement of the regional MSME movement.
He traced the roots of the initiative to 1999, when the heads of state from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania launched the EAC MSMEs platform, with Kenya leading in hosting regional exhibitions.
He introduced the term “Jokali Mbukazi”, born out of regional collaboration, and reflecting informal sector identities across East Africa. ‘Jokali’ is used in Kenya, Burundi, and Rwanda; ‘Mbukazi’ in Tanzania; and ‘Katwe’ in Uganda. Together, these represent the resilient spirit of small enterprises across the region,” he explained.
Muteti noted that as per the founding resolution, Kenya’s President currently serves as the patron of the regional MSME initiative by holding the chair of the East African Community (EAC) Summit.
Beyond his regional work, he serves as regional CEO of the Organisation of Migrant Small Enterprises and is a member of the advisory board of the All-African Association of MSMEs, roles through which he continues to champion enterprise development across the continent.
By Joan Ogolla and Wendy Sheilla
