The Kenyan Government is using credit inclusion, aggregation, and manufacturing to drive Kenya Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) growth as a key driver of economic growth.
Speaking during the official launch of the 25th East African Community (EAC) MSME Trade Fair and Symposium at Uhuru Gardens, President William Ruto highlighted the success of the Hustler Fund, which has disbursed over Ksh. 80 billion to more than 26 million Kenyans.
Borrowers can now access up to Ksh. 150,000 under a single-digit interest rate through the Fund’s Bridge loan facility.
The President further noted that the credit scoring system developed under the Hustler Fund has become an innovative model for collateralization, enabling MSMEs without traditional collateral to access formal financing from banks and financial institutions.
“In addition to financial inclusion, the Government of Kenya is investing in County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs) across all 47 counties. These parks are designed to support agro-processing, consolidate agricultural production, and commercialize county-level value chains. By providing common-user facilities, CAIPs will significantly reduce the capital burden on MSMEs, enabling them to scale up production, create jobs, and boost exports”, he added.
Dr. Wycliffe Oparanya, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Cooperatives and MSME Development, highlighted the importance of finance, technology adoption, and green growth as key pillars for MSME transformation.
He further read the EAC MSME Ministerial Roundtable Communique, held on the sidelines of the Expo. The adopted communique emphasizes the urgency of supporting green enterprises through affordable finance, capacity building, market access and technology transfer.
The EAC ministers further agreed to fast-track discussions on non-tariff barriers (NTBs) and leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to strengthen regional value chains and build resilient, inclusive MSME ecosystems. The communique will be tabled at the upcoming EAC Heads of State Summit later this month.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja commended MSMEs for their pivotal role in job creation, noting that Nairobi alone contributes 27% of Kenya’s GDP, with 96% of registered businesses being MSMEs.
He outlined county initiatives aimed at improving the ease of doing business, including the Unified Business Permit, a digital licensing system that simplifies compliance and the development of 10 new modern markets across the city in partnership with the national government.
Susan Mang’eni, Principal Secretary, State Department for MSME Development, showcased the country’s leadership in integrating technology and innovation to empower entrepreneurs. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to scaling up digital solutions and regional partnerships that support MSME growth.
Annette Ssemuwemba Mutaawe, Deputy Secretary General in charge of Customs, Trade, and Monetary Affairs at the EAC Secretariat, commended the quality and diversity of products showcased at the Expo.
She highlighted the ongoing rollout of the EAC Regional Payment System Masterplan, which will facilitate seamless cross-border transactions and enhance intra-regional trade efficiency.
Ms. Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC), called on EAC Member States to deepen economic integration as a pathway to sustainable MSMEs growth and successful implementation of the AfCFTA.
She announced the opening of the ITC’s regional corporate office in Nairobi, the first regional Hub outside of the ITC headquarters in Geneva, which will strengthen ITC’s engagement with the Global South and accelerate initiatives to build a competitive, export-ready SME sector.
