The Chief Executive Officer of the *Confederation of Micro and Small Enterprises Organization of East Africa (CMSEOEA), **Mr. Richard Muteti, OGW, who also serves as the **National Chairman of the Sub-Saharan Skills and Apprenticeship Network Kenya Chapter (SASANET), today held a strategic meeting with **Mr. Teddy Soobramanien, the Chief Executive Officer of the *COMESA Business Council (CBC).

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the COMESA Business Forum & Exhibition at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi.

During the engagement, Mr. Muteti presented the SME Handbook to the CBC CEO, highlighting the vital role that Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play in driving economic transformation, regional integration, and inclusive growth across Africa.

He underscored the importance of collaborative efforts between COMESA institutions and MSME organizations to create enabling environments that enhance competitiveness, innovation, and sustainability within the sector.

“MSMEs are the heartbeat of Africa’s economy. Strengthening their capacity and participation in regional trade will be key to unlocking shared prosperity across the continent,” said Mr. Muteti.

The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of both CMSEOEA and CBC to deepen cooperation in policy dialogue, skills development, and market access for MSMEs within the COMESA region.