Kenya has intensified its efforts to accelerate the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through expanded credit access, county aggregation and increased manufacturing investments, positioning the sector at the heart of national economic transformation.
President Dr. William Ruto, speaking at the official launch of the 25th East African Community (EAC) MSME Trade Fair and Symposium at Uhuru Gardens on Tuesday, 11th November, outlined the impact of the Hustler Fund, which has so far disbursed more than Ksh. 80 billion to over 26 million Kenyans. He said the Fund’s Bridge Loan facility now allows entrepreneurs to borrow up to Ksh. 150,000 at a single-digit interest rate, easing the liquidity challenges faced by small businesses.
He emphasized that the credit-scoring model developed under the Hustler Fund has evolved into a practical collateralization tool that enables MSMEs without traditional assets to access financing from banks and formal lenders.
“In addition to financial inclusion, the Government of Kenya is investing in County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs) across all 47 counties. These parks are designed to support agro-processing, consolidate agricultural production, and commercialize county-level value chains. By providing common-user facilities, CAIPs will significantly reduce the capital burden on MSMEs, enabling them to scale up production, create jobs, and boost exports,” he said.
Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSME Development Dr. Wycliffe Oparanya emphasized the role of finance, technology adoption and green growth in shaping the future of MSMEs. He also presented the EAC MSME Ministerial Roundtable Communiqué adopted during the Expo, which calls for enhanced support for green enterprises through funding, capacity building, market access and technology transfer. He reaffirmed the critical role of MSMEs in Africa’s economic future, stating,
“We reaffirm the importance of MSMEs as engines of innovation, employment and inclusive growth, and acknowledge their contribution to environmental sustainability across the African region.”
