Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) with the launch of the National Organising Committee (NOC) for the 25th East African Community (EAC) MSME Trade Fair. Speaking in Nairobi on Thursday morning, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSME Development, Wycliffe Oparanya, underscored the sector’s vital role in job creation, innovation, and economic transformation.
“MSMEs hold the power to transform this economy from the grassroots up. We must create a conducive environment for them to thrive,” Oparanya said, while acknowledging persistent challenges such as tax-related harassment and cumbersome regulations that continue to impede growth.
The CS outlined four key pillars that will guide this year’s trade fair agenda.
Access to Finance will be a top priority, with the government pledging to allocate more resources to MSMEs and work towards maintaining affordable interest rates. This, Oparanya noted, is crucial to enabling entrepreneurs to expand their operations and invest in innovation.
Access to Markets will also take centre stage, with Kenya pushing for the removal of intra-EAC trade barriers. The goal is to give MSMEs greater reach into a regional market of over 300 million people, boosting cross-border trade and regional integration.
In the digital era, Digital Transformation is another key focus area. The government plans to help MSMEs adopt digital tools and platforms, taking advantage of Kenya’s high mobile penetration and thriving innovation ecosystem to improve efficiency, marketing, and customer engagement.
The final pillar, Green Financing, seeks to encourage sustainable business practices. By promoting environmentally friendly production and providing incentives for eco-conscious initiatives, the government hopes to position MSMEs as active players in combating climate change.
The EAC MSME Trade Fair, also known as the Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi Exhibition, is expected to draw thousands of exhibitors from across the region. It will provide a platform for networking, skills exchange, and showcasing locally made products, reinforcing the sector’s contribution to regional economic growth.
With the new organising committee in place, Kenya is looking to ensure the 25th edition of the fair not only strengthens MSME capacity but also accelerates their integration into the regional and global economy.
