Small business owners from Kiambu County received a significant boost during the 2nd Annual SME Conference, Exhibition, and Awards organized by the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA).
The event attracted hundreds of entrepreneurs, policymakers, and industry leaders, providing Kiambu-based SMEs with invaluable access to expert guidance, business networks, and growth opportunities.
Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs, Wycliffe Oparanya, who officiated the clinic, lauded counties like Kiambu for championing small enterprise development.
“Our mission is to ease access to business licenses, affordable financing, and capacity building. Already, over 30,000 MSMEs have been registered digitally across the country this year,” said CS Oparanya.
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Kiambu County stood out among the exhibitors, with its Department of Trade engaging directly with business owners, offering practical, step-by-step advice on formalizing and growing their ventures.
Ann Wambui, head of the Business Licensing Department in Kiambu, emphasized the county’s commitment to removing bureaucratic hurdles.
“Licensing should be seen as a Launchpad, not a hindrance. We’re here to guide and support entrepreneurs on their journey,” she noted.
According to KEPSA, SMEs represent approximately 98% of all businesses in Kenya and contribute an estimated 33.8% to the national GDP, these figures underscore the sector’s centrality to local economic growth.
KEPSA CEO Carole Kariuki highlighted the conference’s broader purpose to strengthen the resilience of small businesses.
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“We’re building vital linkages from mentorship to market access that can transform entrepreneurial potential into tangible impact,” she stated.
Innovators from Kiambu showcased a variety of products including value-added agricultural goods, fashion lines, and tech-driven solutions. The conference also featured expert panels, networking forums, and awards honoring exceptional SME performance.
The event also highlighted Kiambu County’s evolving role as a business hub and reinforced the value of coordinated support between counties and national stakeholders in shaping Kenya’s economic future.
By Masaki Enock
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