Over 2,200 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Turkana County are set to benefit from a transformative two-year capacity-building program aimed at preparing them for international trade. The initiative is a partnership between the Turkana County Government and the International Trade Centre (ITC), with funding from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
Announced during a consultative meeting in Lodwar at the Department of Trade, Gender and Tourism headquarters, the program will focus on enhancing the global competitiveness of local businesses. Emphasis will be placed on enterprises engaged in value-added beekeeping, basketry, and traditional crafts.
County Executive Committee Member for Trade, Gender and Tourism, Roseline Aite, underscored the importance of the program in expanding market access. “This partnership is likely to open doors for local businesses to become global players and enhance the economic inclusion of MSMEs,” she said.
Chief Officer for Trade and Enterprise Development, Pauline Tang’arae, added that Turkana’s unique cultural identity offers its products a competitive advantage. “With proper branding and certification, Turkana-made products have the potential to command niche markets abroad,” she noted.
The ITC’s National Project Coordinator, Halkano Jilo Boru, said the initiative targets underserved areas with untapped potential. “Our aim is to ensure that even entrepreneurs in remote areas can find a place in international markets. Turkana has untapped opportunities that international trade can help realize,” he said.
The program will equip MSMEs with skills in branding, product certification, value addition, and compliance with international standards—essential for entering and sustaining presence in foreign markets.
Senior Trade Officer Samuel Edoket, along with ITC officials Beuchen Ben and Julius Lokaale, also attended the meeting, signaling strong stakeholder support.
The project is expected to boost local incomes, create jobs, and enhance youth livelihoods by enabling MSMEs in Turkana to thrive beyond regional borders. It marks a critical step in integrating local enterprises into the global economy while preserving and leveraging their unique cultural identity.
