Richard Muteti, OGW, HSC, a renowned MSME champion, Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali Associations, Chairperson of the COMESA Business Council SMEs Work-Group and a long-serving advocate for small business development, has welcomed the outcomes of the 3rd Annual KEPSA SME Conference, Awards and Exhibition, describing it as a landmark platform that reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to transforming Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) into globally competitive businesses.
Muteti said the conference brought together an impressive coalition of government, private sector leaders, financiers, development partners and entrepreneurs united by a common vision of building resilient enterprises capable of driving inclusive economic growth and creating sustainable employment opportunities.
He particularly commended Principal Secretary for the State Department for MSME Development, Hon. Susan Auma Mang’eni, CBS, for articulating a bold vision that places MSMEs at the heart of Kenya’s economic transformation agenda.
According to Muteti, her emphasis on formalisation, affordable financing, mentorship and enabling policies reflects the practical interventions required to help enterprises transition from survival to sustainable growth.Muteti lauded the Government’s continued investment in enterprise development through initiatives such as the Kenya Jobs and Economic Transformation (KJET) Project and the NYOTA Programme, saying the programmes demonstrate a deliberate commitment to empowering entrepreneurs, especially young people and women, with the resources and support needed to build thriving businesses.
He also praised KEPSA Chief Executive Officer Carole Kariuki, CBS, for her unwavering leadership in strengthening Kenya’s enterprise ecosystem through innovative programmes that integrate digital skills, access to finance and expanded market opportunities.
He noted that initiatives such as the Ajira Digital Programme, the Kenya AI Skilling Alliance and the MSME Financing Gateway are helping prepare Kenyan businesses for the demands of an increasingly digital global economy.
Muteti further applauded KEPSA Director for SMEs and Start-ups Mary Ngechu for ensuring this year’s conference delivered practical solutions through strategic masterclasses, advisory clinics, digital exhibition platforms and networking opportunities that directly respond to the needs of entrepreneurs.He welcomed Equity Bank’s continued commitment to closing the financing gap affecting MSMEs, noting that innovative financial products tailored to small businesses will significantly improve enterprise productivity, competitiveness and long-term sustainability.
Muteti equally commended Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Kenya for its continued support towards strengthening policy dialogue and creating an enabling environment that encourages innovation, responsible formalisation and the adoption of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence.According to Muteti, the conference theme, “Beyond Survival: Building Smart and Resilient Businesses,” perfectly captures the direction Kenya’s MSME sector must take if it is to unlock its full economic potential.
He observed that with an estimated 7.4 million MSMEs employing approximately 15 million people and contributing about 40 per cent of Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product, the sector remains the country’s single most important engine for job creation, industrialisation and inclusive economic development.
He noted that sustained collaboration between government, financial institutions, development partners and the private sector will be critical in addressing persistent challenges such as limited access to affordable finance, regulatory barriers, inadequate market access and low levels of formalisation.
Muteti also praised the organisers for recognising outstanding entrepreneurs and MSME ecosystem enablers through the SME Innovation Excellence Awards, saying celebrating innovation, resilience and enterprise excellence inspires more entrepreneurs to pursue business growth and value addition.
He encouraged entrepreneurs across the country to take full advantage of available government programmes, digital technologies, regional trade opportunities and business development services to strengthen their enterprises and expand into new markets.
Muteti reiterated that Kenya possesses one of Africa’s most vibrant entrepreneurial populations and expressed confidence that with sustained policy support, strategic partnerships and increased investment in innovation, the country’s MSMEs will become globally competitive enterprises capable of driving economic prosperity for generations to come.
He concluded by congratulating KEPSA, the Ministry of Co-operatives and MSME Development, development partners, financial institutions and all participating entrepreneurs for organising a conference that not only addressed the challenges facing MSMEs but also presented practical solutions that will shape the future of enterprise development in Kenya.