Today, 27^th June 2025, The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) concluded the 2nd Edition of the Annual SME Conference, Awards, and Exhibition at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), Nairobi. The 2-day event under the theme “Bridging Opportunities and Breaking Barriers on Market Access for SMEs” provided SMEs with insights, networks, and strategies to overcome market barriers and scale sustainably.

The event brought together more than 1000 participants that included entrepreneurs, industry experts, thought leaders, investors, policymakers, government representatives, and representatives from financial institutions, business support organisations and corporations working with SMEs, market intermediaries, technology and solution providers, academia, research institutions, and the media.

The hybrid event (physical and virtual) included the conference, an award ceremony recognizing SME Enablers and Innovators with innovative solutions that address market failures and drive business growth.  The conference also included an exhibition and business clinic that provided personalized guidance from industry experts.

During the opening session on 26^th June, the Chief Guest, Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs, Hon. FCPA Dr. Wickliffe Oparanya applauded KEPSA for its continued commitment to elevating MSMEs, acknowledging the efforts they played in the unveiling of MSME Connect a public-private dialogue championed by the Ministry.

“My Ministry, working closely with strategic partners such as KEPSA, has developed the Kenya Public Private Sector MSMEs Dialogue dubbed MSMEs Connect, a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening support ecosystems, accelerating enterprise growth, and institutionalising strong public-private collaboration across the MSME sector in a more coordinated approach.” Said Hon. Oparanya, who added that the Ministry has rolled out a nationwide public participation on the Draft MSME Policy 2025 aimed at addressing persistent challenges such as access to affordable credit, delayed payments and regulatory bottlenecks that hinder enterprise growth.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) account for 90 percent of businesses globally and are critical for employment creation, output production, and economic growth. SMEs play a vital role in Kenya's economy, contributing over 80% to employment creation and accounting for about 33.8% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP).

Despite their economic significance, SMEs in Kenya still face significant market access challenges that hinder their growth and competitiveness. Limited connections, inadequate market intelligence, and logistical barriers restrict their ability to penetrate broader markets and diversify customer bases. High entry costs, regulatory requirements, and compliance standards add financial and administrative burdens. These and many other challenges not only constrain the growth of SMEs but also limit their ability to contribute more substantially to economic transformation. Addressing these barriers is critical for enabling SMEs to unlock their full potential and achieve sustainable growth. 

"We look to create a business environment that promotes Kenyans' global competitiveness by supporting the growth and impact of SMEs. Our advocacy continues to shape an enabling business environment for SMEs to grow and prosper," said KEPSA Vice Chair Ms Brenda Mbathi during the opening session.

In her opening remarks, KEPSA Director Ms. Mary Ngechu affirmed KEPSA’s commitment to supporting SMEs through continuous advocacy, capacity-building initiatives, and the fostering of a conducive business environment.

Moses Nyabanda, MD, Equity Bank (Kenya), addressed the critical role of financial institutions in enhancing market access for SMEs. He underscored the vital need for technology in all businesses, adding, "Whatever business you do, technology has to be very mainstream in it. But the question still remains the fact that we don’t have a national digital infrastructure, and it’s a conversation we are willing to have as Equity Bank.”

Evans Kamau, the Senior Operations Manager at International Finance Corporation, shared the private sector strategies for regional integration, value chain development, and cross-border investment, highlighting the need to be globally competitive.

From engaging fireside chats to panel sessions to open mic sessions, the conference emphasized the importance of market access in elevating SMEs. Other topics handled included driving digital inclusion and harnessing data & market intelligence for SME growth.

The Chief Guest at the awards ceremony, Hon. Jaoko Oburu Odinga, Special Advisor in the Office of the President on Economic Empowerment and Sustainable Livelihoods, underscored that the MSME sector offers the most viable path for employment creation. Reflecting on his family’s business journey, he noted that East Africa Spectre Limited, now a well-known enterprise, started as a simple welding business under a tree along Mombasa Road—highlighting the potential of MSMEs to grow from humble beginnings into major enterprises.

The climax of the event was the SME Award Ceremony, which recognized 18 SMEs for exemplary innovations advancing market access and expansion. A total of six award categories were presented, namely: Rising Female Star in Digital Trade, Rising Male Star in Digital Trade, Cross-Border Innovation Award, Logistics & Distribution Innovation Award, Tech Start-up Market Intelligence Innovation Award, and Best Overall Market Expansion Innovation Award. The winners in these categories were Muskat Grocery, Innosync, Alisam Product Development & Design Ltd, Ecomobilus Technologies, Residence Technologies, and Lakegen, respectively. A total of Ksh. 1.55 million was awarded to the winners and first runners-up across the six categories, while the second runners-up received gift hampers.

In addition, 9 SME enablers were recognized during the award ceremony for the exceptional efforts and contributions of their organizations in supporting SME growth and success. Namib Technologies received the Market Access Inclusivity and Sustainability Champion Award, while Startup Lions and the Kenya Development Corporation (KDC) were awarded the Digital Innovation Enabler Award and the Overall Market Access Enabler Award, respectively.

In her closing remarks, KEPSA Director Ms. Mutheu Kasanga highlighted the vital role of SMEs in driving employment, income generation, and innovation. She reaffirmed KEPSA’s commitment to championing SME-centered policies at both the county and national levels, including the urgent need for legislative reforms to align the MSME Act with the devolved system of governance.

Through engaging panel sessions, the conference explored expanding market opportunities and strengthening connections for SMEs. It also promoted a culture of innovation, investment in supportive ecosystems, and empowering entrepreneurs to pursue bold ideas and unlock the full potential of SMEs.

Catch up on everything you missed. Watch the recording here.

• Day 1 – https://www.youtube.com/live/MirbqW1TOfg?si=dbV5fHhruQFqzzf8
• Day 2 - https://www.youtube.com/live/eaEWOt1A5NI?si=UWei3T_TiYKYjq_e
• Photo Highlights from the KEPSA SME Conference - https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCjmR1