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Kenya Public-Private Sector MSME Dialogue: A Step Toward Empowering Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises

By John Kariuki

This morning, Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs, Dr. Oparanya, alongside Principal Secretary Hon. Susan Mangen, hosted key private sector stakeholders for a crucial meeting to discuss the highly anticipated Kenya Public-Private Sector MSME Dialogue – MSME CONNECT KENYA. The dialogue, set to be launched in early March 2025, aims to strengthen the relationship between the private sector and government to provide better support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Kenya.

During the meeting, CS Dr. Oparanya emphasized the significance of the MSME CONNECT KENYA initiative, stressing its potential to drive growth and sustainability for MSMEs. The dialogue platform is designed to foster collaboration between government agencies and private sector stakeholders, ensuring that MSMEs receive the support needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive environment. The CS also underscored the government’s commitment to creating policies and programs that are tailored to the unique needs of small businesses, which are vital to Kenya’s economy.

The Principal Secretary, Hon. Susan Mangeni, provided updates on the ongoing comprehensive MSME survey, marking the first such survey since 2016. She urged the private sector to actively participate in the survey, which is being conducted in collaboration with the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) and the Ministry of MSMEs. This survey, with the largest sample size ever recorded for an MSME study in Kenya, will provide critical data-driven insights to shape future policies and government programs aimed at bolstering the MSME sector.

In her remarks, the PS highlighted how the findings of this extensive study would be instrumental in identifying the challenges and opportunities within the MSME sector, helping to tailor interventions that truly address the needs of entrepreneurs. The survey is expected to offer a comprehensive understanding of MSMEs’ contribution to the economy, and most importantly, it will help inform policy decisions that directly impact business growth.

The MSME CONNECT KENYA roundtable aims to further improve the coordination between the Ministry and private sector stakeholders, addressing key challenges and fostering sustainable growth for MSMEs. The MSEA CEO, Mr. Rithaa, will chair the roundtable secretariat. Both the CS and PS emphasized that the forum would be focused on tangible outcomes, particularly measuring the direct impact of government interventions, such as the number of jobs created and the overall economic transformation resulting from MSME support initiatives.

The dialogue underscores the importance of public-private collaboration in creating an environment where MSMEs can not only survive but thrive, ultimately contributing to Kenya’s broader economic growth and prosperity. The government’s commitment to empowering MSMEs through data-driven insights and targeted support remains central to the initiative, setting the stage for meaningful change in the sector.

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