MSEA, working with Dutch development organisation SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, during a previous business sensitisation forum-Photo|Courtesy

Government pushes new MSME policy to ease credit access and formalisation

The government has stepped up efforts to strengthen Kenya’s small business sector through a fresh policy drive aimed at easing access to finance, boosting competitiveness, and encouraging informal enterprises to formalise. Regulators and development partners are intensifying outreach to micro, small and medium‑sized enterprises (MSMEs) amid concerns that many firms remain locked out of structured…

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Gov’t moves to modernise county markets, boost MSME competitiveness

Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Investment, Trade and Industry Lee Kinyanjui has outlined a comprehensive government strategy to modernise county markets and strengthen support for traders and small businesses, signalling a sharper policy focus on the informal and micro-enterprise sector as a driver of economic growth. Appearing before the Senate Plenary at Parliament buildings on May…

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Make-up By Rose CEO Rose Ntongondu addressing journalists in Nairobi

Women-led enterprises driving innovation and economic growth across Kenya

Women are increasingly taking the reins of entrepreneurship, driving innovation and economic growth in the country. Globally, according to the World Bank, one-third of businesses worldwide have a woman among their principal owners. This number is steadily rising, with the number of startups with female founders doubling globally. Studies also suggest that women-led businesses are…

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MSEA senior assistant director Tabitha Gicheru-Photo|Courtesy

MSEA, SNV roll out fifth phase of MSME policy awareness forums across three counties

The Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA), in partnership with SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, has launched the fifth phase of business awareness forums aimed at strengthening policy uptake and improving access to support services among micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Kenya. The latest phase builds on four previous engagements and targets a more…

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Agriculture sector tops investor exits as private capital activity declines in Q1 2026

The agriculture sector recorded the highest proportion of investor exits across Africa in the first quarter of 2026 (Q1), underscoring shifting dynamics in private capital flows. According to the latest report by African market intelligence firm Stears, nearly 30 per cent of agriculture‑related transactions during the period involved investors pulling out. At the same time,…

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Left: Eunice Maina, Entrepreneur, Founder and CEO of 20X Entrepreneur, and a Mindset Transformation Expert working with MSMEs across Kenya. Centre: Susan Mang’eni, Principal Secretary, State Department for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development.

State launches first MSME Opportunity Readiness Index at SalesFest Africa

Kenya has launched the country’s first Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Opportunity Readiness Index (Fursa Index), marking a significant step in efforts for micro and small enterprises to access to real economic opportunities and participate in structured markets. The index was unveiled on Thursday, March 12 during the SalesFest Africa – Chanuka Jipange Edition….

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Cooperatives and MSMEs CS Wycliffe Oparanya before Members of the Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives.
Cooperatives and MSMEs CS Wycliffe Oparanya before Members of the Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives. Photo Courtesy

State Department for Cooperatives has Ksh7.816 Billion shortfall, Oparanya says

The Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Wycliffe Oparanya has revealed that the Ministry grappling funding gaps, calling on Members of the Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives to support in addressing the shortfall. Oparanya who was speaking before the committee on Monday said the State Department for Cooperatives has…

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Andrew Kanyutu, Group CEO, AVLC, hands over the offer letter to Franklin Mwirigi chair Siraji SACCO and Felix Ochieng CEO. Photo Courtesy

Siraji Sacco receives Ksh170 million financing boost from World Bank

Siraji Savings and Credit Co-operative Society Ltd has received Ksh170 million financing boost from the AVLC Group, marking the latest disbursement under a World Bank-backed financing programme aimed at revitalising Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Kenya that were adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Siraji Sacco, a SASRA-compliant cooperative society, supports small and…

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Principal Secretary for MSMEs Susan Mang’eni

Government to roll out new MSME policy to drive jobs and growth

The government is preparing to unveil a revised Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) policy designed to transform the sector into a central pillar of job creation, economic growth and inclusive development under the Bottom‑Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). Principal Secretary for MSMEs Susan Mang’eni said the sector has already registered progress under the current…

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