Focus on SMEs - Sacco Review | The Leading Newspaper for Co-operative Movement in Kenya

SMEs urged to rethink East Africa expansion strategies, cut middlemen reliance

Sacco ReviewJune 5, 202604 mins

Small and Medium‑sized Enterprises (SMEs) eyeing growth beyond Kenya have been cautioned against treating the wider East African region as a single, uniform market. Trade experts say such blanket expansion strategies risk undermining business prospects, urging firms instead to adopt deliberate, country‑specific approaches. Speaking during the NCBA Trade Commissioners Forum in Nairobi, Regional trade advisor…

Experts warn of KSh3.3 trillion MSME financing shortfall

Sacco ReviewJune 4, 202604 mins

Kenya’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector is staring at a severe credit crunch, with experts warning that the country faces a KSh3.3 trillion funding gap that threatens the survival and growth of the sector. Financial institutions are currently providing only a fraction of the capital required to sustain operations, raising fears about the…

Kiambu residents urge Finance Committee to protect MSMEs, adopt policies that encourage local investment

Sacco ReviewJune 3, 2026012 mins

Residents of Kiambu County have called on the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning to protect Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and encourage local investment through the adoption of business-friendly policies. Speaking during a public participation forum on the Finance Bill, 2026, alongside the Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill, the Central Bank (Amendment) Bill,…

Co‑operative Bank named Africa’s SME bank of the year at African Banker Awards

Sacco ReviewMay 31, 202604 mins

The Co‑operative Bank of Kenya has been recognised as SME Bank of the Year in Africa, underscoring its growing influence as one of the continent’s leading financiers of small and medium‑sized enterprises. The award was presented during the 20th African Banker Awards held on the sidelines of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Annual Meetings in…

I&M Bank partners with Google to train Kenyan SMEs in AI and digital skills

Sacco ReviewMay 30, 202604 mins

Kenyan small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs) are set to benefit from free Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital skills training through a new partnership between I&M Bank and Google, aimed at boosting competitiveness in an increasingly digital economy. The initiative will equip entrepreneurs with practical knowledge in AI tools, digital marketing, business strategy and leadership development,…

Cooperatives CS Wycliffe Oparanya (centre) alongside PSs Mang'eni

MPs push for financial literacy before disbursement of MSME funds

Sacco ReviewMay 24, 2026May 24, 202604 mins

Members of Parliament (MPs) have urged the State Department for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development to strengthen financial literacy programmes before releasing additional funds under government empowerment initiatives. The legislators said equipping beneficiaries with financial management skills would help improve the sustainability of the programmes by enabling recipients to manage loans and grants…

Government moves to cushion small traders and MSMEs from rising business costs

Sacco ReviewMay 18, 202603 mins

The government has unveiled a series of interventions aimed at easing the financial strain on small‑scale traders and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) struggling with the rising cost of doing business. Appearing before the Senate Plenary, Cabinet Secretary for Co‑operatives and MSME Development Wycliffe Oparanya outlined ongoing programmes designed to provide affordable financing, expand…

Konza hosts North African innovation forum as Kenya positions for startup corridor role

Sacco ReviewMay 17, 202604 mins

Kenya has strengthened its role as a regional innovation hub after the Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) hosted a high‑level North African startup forum in Nairobi. The event, IPDAYS Nairobi x Silicon Savannah Startup Fair 2026, marked the first Kenyan edition of Inno’Preneurs Days (IPDAYS), Tunisia’s premier startup and intellectual property platform established in 2022….

Entrepreneurs urged to embrace innovation and partnerships to unlock Kenya’s SME potential

Sacco ReviewMay 16, 202605 mins

Entrepreneurs across Kenya are being pressed to embrace innovation, forge partnerships, and rethink business models as the key to unlocking the full potential of the country’s small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs), a sector that remains central to job creation and economic growth despite mounting financial pressures. Industry stakeholders warn that without adaptation, many SMEs risk…

1 / 1 – Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (Keproba) CEO Floice Mukabana speaking to the press after their forum on Wednesday..

Exporters decry high cost of production, call for reduction of tariffs to boost trade

Sacco ReviewMay 14, 202604 mins

A cross-section of Kenyan manufacturers and exporters have decried the high cost of production which they say drains their earnings. The traders now want the government to introduce incentives including lowering tariffs on most of the export products whose cost of production has been soaring. They spoke during the ‘Exporters Round Table’ talks attended by…