MSEA, SNV intensify MSME policy awareness drive to spur enterprise growth

NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 24 – The Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA), in partnership with SNV, has rolled out the fifth phase of business awareness forums aimed at strengthening policy uptake and improving access to support services among micro and small enterprises.

The initiative builds on four previous engagements and targets a more informed MSME ecosystem through structured sensitization and enhanced monitoring tools, as policymakers and development partners seek to unlock the sector’s growth potential.

The latest forums brought together over 100 enterprises across Uasin Gishu, Kisumu and Nakuru, with participation drawn from youth, women and persons with disabilities operating largely within the leather and textile value chains.

Stakeholders present included the Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali Associations and the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, among others.

Speaking during the sessions, MSEA Senior Assistant Director Tabitha Gicheru highlighted the Authority’s role in supporting enterprise development, noting the importance of formalization and targeted capacity-building initiatives.

She pointed to ongoing programmes such as the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) and the Kenya Jobs and Economic Transformation (KJET) as key interventions supporting MSMEs, alongside continued investment in Jua Kali worksites and Constituency Industrial Development Centres.

On her part, SNV IYBA-SEED Project Manager Nduta Ndirangu said the organization remains focused on strengthening enterprises in agri-food, energy and water sectors through the Investing in Young Businesses in Africa (IYBA) SEED programme.

She noted that the initiative is designed to expand access to both financial and non-financial business development services, particularly for youth- and women-led enterprises.

A key highlight of the forums was sensitization on the MSME Policy and the proposed MSME Amendment Bill 2025, which seeks to improve access to finance, enhance competitiveness and formalize informal businesses to drive job creation.

The forums also generated stakeholder feedback expected to inform future policy refinements.

The MSEA-SNV collaboration comes at a time when Kenya is increasingly positioning MSMEs as a critical driver of economic growth, with a renewed focus on sustainability across sectors including manufacturing, digital innovation and the green economy.