steven maseka 
Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives & MSMEs Development, Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya, speaking during the 2nd Edition of the Annual SME Conference, Awards, and Exhibition, hosted by the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) at Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).
The 2nd Edition of the Annual SME Conference, Awards, and Exhibition, hosted by the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), has kicked off at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).
The two-day event brings together over 1000 participants to address market access challenges for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and drive sustainable economic growth. Themed, “Bridging Opportunities and Breaking Barriers on Market Access for SMEs,” the conference includes an award ceremony, an exhibition, and a business clinic.
SMEs are a cornerstone of the global economy, making up 90 percent of businesses worldwide and being crucial for employment creation, output production, and overall economic growth.
In Kenya, SMEs are particularly vital, contributing over 80% to employment creation and accounting for approximately 33.8% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Despite their significant economic importance, Kenyan SMEs encounter considerable market access challenges that impede their growth and competitiveness.
These challenges include limited connections, inadequate market intelligence, and logistical barriers, which restrict their ability to access broader markets and diversify customer bases. Additionally, high entry costs, regulatory requirements, and compliance standards impose further financial and administrative burdens.
Such obstacles not only hinder the growth of SMEs but also limit their potential to contribute more substantially to economic transformation.
Addressing these barriers is therefore critical to enabling SMEs to unlock their full potential and achieve sustainable growth.
In his opening address, the chief guest, Hon. FCPA Wycliffe Oparanya, commended KEPSA for its unwavering dedication to empowering Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
He acknowledged KEPSA’s role in the launch of “MSME Connect,” a public-private dialogue spearheaded by his Ministry.
“My Ministry, working closely with strategic partners such as KEPSA, has developed the Kenya Public Private Sector MSMEs Dialogue dubbed MSMEs Connect, a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening support ecosystems, accelerating enterprise growth, and institutionalising strong public-private collaboration across the MSME sector in a more coordinated approach.”
Noted Hon. Oparanya, while adding that the Ministry has initiated a nationwide public participation drive for the Draft MSME Policy 2025, which seeks to tackle persistent issues such as access to affordable credit, delayed payments, and regulatory obstacles hindering enterprise growth.
Ms. Brenda Mbathi, KEPSA Vice Chair, affirmed KEPSA’s commitment to fostering a conducive business environment for SMEs. “We look to create a business environment that promotes Kenyans’ global competitiveness by supporting the growth and impact of SMEs.
Our advocacy continues to shape an enabling business environment for SMEs to grow and prosper,” she stated.
The conference will also recognise nine SMEs for exemplary innovations.The winners of the Innovation Excellence Awards for the best overall business innovation, best youth-led business innovation, and best women-led business innovation will also be honoured.
Additionally, six SME enablers will be feted during the award ceremony.These awards aim to recognise the exceptional efforts and contributions of organisations that have played a significant role in enabling the growth and success of SMEs.
The Innovation Excellence Awards received 293 submissions,while the SME Enablers of the Year Awards garnered 183 entries, indicating robust participation and interest within the SME community.
