PS Susan Mang’eni: Government Steps Up Support to Help Kenyan MSMEs Access Regional Markets
Speaking during preparations for the upcoming 26th East African Community (EAC) MSME Trade Fair in Kigali, Rwanda, Principal Secretary for MSME Development Susan Mang’eni said the government was putting in place measures to ensure Kenyan entrepreneurs, particularly women and youth, benefit from regional trade opportunities.
Mang’eni said the EAC MSME Trade Fair offers Kenyan businesses an important platform to showcase their products, connect with potential buyers and investors, establish partnerships and explore new markets.
She said the government is seeking approximately Sh200 million from the National Treasury to support about 500 Kenyan MSMEs to participate in the Kigali trade fair.
“We hope to get that support so that we make sure these small businesses, who are contributing to the economy of our country, are given support to be able to be in Kigali,” Mang’eni said.
The government is also exploring additional partnerships that could increase Kenya’s delegation from the targeted 500 exhibitors to as many as 1,000 businesses. All 47 counties are expected to participate, with each county targeting at least five exhibitors.
Mang’eni said the delegation will include beneficiaries of various government financing and manufacturing programmes, including at least 100 young entrepreneurs supported through the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme.
She noted that exposing young entrepreneurs to regional markets would enable them to establish business connections, understand competition and identify new opportunities across the EAC and the wider African market.
The PS said MSMEs remain a critical pillar of Kenya’s economy, supporting millions of livelihoods and contributing more than 30 per cent of the country's Gross Domestic Product.
She further highlighted access to affordable financing as one of the major challenges facing small businesses, noting that government initiatives such as the Hustler Fund, Women Enterprise Fund and Youth Enterprise Fund are helping bridge the financing gap.
Mang’eni also called for stronger legislative support for MSMEs, saying businesses require sustained assistance over several years to mature, become competitive and operate independently.
She said the proposed legislation would provide a structured framework for nurturing enterprises for up to three years, allowing them to build capacity and strengthen their operations.
The government is also expanding market infrastructure through the construction of modern markets across the country, which Mang’eni said would provide traders with better working spaces and storage facilities.
She urged Kenyan entrepreneurs to view the Kigali trade fair as more than an exhibition, encouraging them to use the platform to secure customers, build partnerships, learn from other businesses and increase exports.
The 26th EAC MSME Trade Fair is expected to bring together close to 2,000 exhibitors, providing businesses from participating countries with an opportunity to strengthen regional trade ties.
Mang’eni said successful participation by Kenyan MSMEs would contribute to increased exports, job creation and stronger integration of Kenyan enterprises into the EAC and wider African markets.
