KEPSA, through the Jiinue Growth Program, facilitated the fourth benchmarking tour at Line Plast Group on 6th December 2024. The tour attracted 28 SMEs from various sectors, offering participants an opportunity to learn and integrate the best business practices into their operations. It also served as a platform for networking and provided valuable insights into scaling up and remaining competitive in the market.

The family-run manufacturing enterprise, which began as a small label-printing business, Line Plast Group Limited has grown to serve a wide range of clients including food & beverage, cosmetics, agro vet & pharmaceuticals in East Africa. From its humble beginnings with just one staff member, the company has grown to employ over 400 people. Line Plast's journey is a testament to resilience, particularly in a market where 46% of MSMEs fail within their first year, and 80% do not survive beyond five years—challenges often attributed to factors like insufficient operating capital, which is cited by 30% of struggling businesses, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).

Speaking during the tour, Ms. Mary Ngechu, the Group CEO and KEPSA Director for SME and Start-Ups, shared her inspiring journey. Starting as a second-hand clothing (mtumba) vendor, she rose to become the CEO of a highly successful company. She urged the SMEs to have clarity in their entrepreneurial journeys and to deeply understand every aspect of their businesses. “As an entrepreneur, you must be the driver of your business. Sit down and map out your journey. Break down your plans into small, actionable milestones,” she advised. Ms. Ngechu emphasized the importance of delivering on promises and being proactive in executing ideas. She highlighted the need for speed and clarity in business processes while safeguarding company data against technological threats.

Mr. Harrison Ngatia, the Chief SME and Enterprise Development Officer at KEPSA, thanked Ms. Mary Ngechu for opening her doors to SMEs to benchmark at her company. He also acknowledged the immense support Ms. Ngechu has provided to SMEs and start-ups in her role as the KEPSA Director for SMEs and Start-Ups. He encouraged the entrepreneurs to apply the best practices and insights gained to scale their businesses.

In addition to the facility tour, the entrepreneurs received insights into the importance of information technology and its role in driving business growth and adaptability. Staying updated with current trends not only ensures operational efficiency but also enhances business security. The group also learned about HR processes and their impact on organizational success.

The benchmarking tour reinforced KEPSA's commitment to empowering SMEs by facilitating practical knowledge exchange with established organizations, equipping SMEs with essential tools to improve their operations and competitiveness.

The Jiinue Growth Program (JGP) seeks to address the funding gap for young women and young men-owned/led MSMEs by pairing up financial support with technical assistance, and a hands-on coordination strategy between various players in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The program is implemented in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and is led by Grassroots Business Fund (GBF) and brings together six organisations, Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), Kenya National Chambers of Commerce (KNCCI), GROOTS, 4G Capital, and Powered by People (PBP). The program also offers several other benefits through market linkage, including the integration of MSEs into supplier diversity programs, organizing MSE exhibitions, developing online and digital marketplaces, and supporting MSEs in brand and product positioning.