- Kenya selects 500 MSMEs to showcase products at the upcoming Kigali trade fair
- NYOTA youth beneficiaries to get a chance to access regional markets and business networks
- Government considers doubling the size of Kenya’s delegation as preparations gather pace
Kenya has selected 500 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), including at least 100 beneficiaries of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme, to represent the country at the 26th East African Community (EAC) MSME Trade Fair in Kigali, Rwanda.
Cooperatives and MSME Development Cabinet Secretary (CS) Wycliffe Oparanya said the government was prioritising MSMEs because of their contribution to employment, livelihoods and the national economy.
He spoke in Nairobi while addressing the media during the commissioning of the EAC MSME Trade Fair 2026 National Organising Committee, which will oversee preparations for Kenya’s delegation to the Kigali trade fair.
Oparanya said more than 21 million people were engaged in the MSME sector, making it a major economic driver nationally.
“Government has prioritised MSMEs as one of the key sectors of the economy that, if focused on, can change the economy of this country,” Oparanya said.
READ:
Additionally, he said the government had a responsibility to create an enabling environment where small enterprises could access affordable capital, markets and appropriate technology. On market access, Oparanya said the government was constructing modern markets across the country to provide businesses with trading spaces.
Financing and digital transformation flagged
Oparanya said the government had established financing programmes to enable MSMEs and individuals to access affordable credit and expand their businesses. He cited the Hustler Fund, saying more than Ksh90 billion had been disbursed through the programme and millions of Kenyans had borrowed from the initiative.
He said regional trade fairs were important because they allowed Kenyan MSMEs to showcase products, establish commercial contacts and explore wider markets.
Oparanya also identified digital transformation as critical for MSME development, urging businesses to embrace technology, improve product quality and promote innovation to remain competitive in regional and international markets.
All 47 counties to be represented
Principal Secretary (PS) for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Susan Mang’eni said at least 100 NYOTA beneficiaries would be included among the 500 Kenyan participants expected at the Kigali trade fair.
YOU MAY HAVE MISSED:
Mang’eni said the exposure would enable NYOTA beneficiaries to access regional markets, build their capacity, establish business connections and expand their enterprises.
“When we rolled out NYOTA, it was not just something that was a one-off. We said we will work with them even after the end of the programme,” Mang’eni said.
She said all 47 counties would be represented, with each county expected to have more than five exhibitors. The government was also exploring the possibility of increasing Kenyan participants from 500 to 1,000.
Mang’eni said the National Organising Committee would coordinate travel, facilitation, movement of exhibitors and border arrangements, while relevant agencies would support certification and movement of goods to Kigali.
She urged participating businesses to prepare adequately by ensuring their products were of good quality, competitively priced and capable of meeting the needs of customers beyond Kenya.
By Bernard Magada
Get more stories from our website: Sacco Review.
For comments and clarifications, write to: Saccoreview@
Kindly follow us via our social media pages on Facebook: Sacco Review Newspaper for timely updates
Stay ahead of the pack! Grab the latest Sacco Review newspaper!
