On 8^th October 2024, KEPSA CEO Ms Carole Kariuki led a team from KEPSA in a strategic engagement with Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA) CEO Ms Floice Mukabana and her team to explore synergies between the two organisations. The focus of the discussion was on forging partnerships to enhance the competitiveness of Kenyan SMEs, particularly within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The meeting highlighted key opportunities for collaboration, with both KEPSA and KEPROBA committing to promote export readiness and expand the reach of Kenyan businesses in regional and global markets.

During the meeting, Ms Kariuki emphasised the importance of diversifying Kenya’s export portfolio to include both products and services. While the country is well-known for tea and coffee exports, she said, there is a wealth of untapped potential in other sectors. She reiterated the need to amplify and promote a wider range of goods and services as a strategic move to create more opportunities for SMEs, encouraging innovation and expansion into new markets.

Ms. Mukabana, on her part, outlined KEPROBA’s ongoing initiatives aimed at enhancing Kenya’s export profile and national branding. While acknowledging that Kenya is traditionally recognised for tea and coffee exports, she noted that KEPROBA is focused on product diversification, with an emphasis on value addition and expanding into new markets.

The KEPSA team shared insights on KEPSA’s involvement in the USAID-Economic Recovery and Reform Activity (ERRA) project, which aims to support 160 SMEs in accessing export markets. Through this initiative, KEPSA is developing a comprehensive curriculum to train SMEs on export procedures and opportunities.

Additionally, KEPSA plans to train a pool of 10 trainers from Business Membership Organizations (BMOs), equipping them to roll out the curriculum to their members. Each trainer will be responsible for coaching 16 SMEs, with those deemed export-ready receiving further support to enter international markets. This project, aligned with existing AfCFTA interventions, seeks to help SMEs leverage opportunities in the African market, fostering growth and expanding trade within the continent.

KEPROBA supports SMEs throughout the product development cycle to ensure their offerings meet international standards. This is achieved through training, exposure to trade missions and participation in exhibitions, enabling SMEs to secure international market access.

KEPROBA operates an Export Readiness Academy, which provides training at three levels —Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced— to guide SMEs through the export process. The Academy connects SMEs with experts who provide hands-on assistance, ensuring that they are fully prepared to enter and succeed in global markets.