April 15, 2024 - Nairobi, Kenya: The Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry in partnership with KEPSA and other key players today unveiled the Karibu Business Support Centre (KBSC). This marks a significant step in Kenya's journey to enhancing its business ecosystem. The KBSC is a unique Government Business (G2B) facilitation centre designed to cater to the needs of both foreign and domestic investors, manufacturers, and traders. It does so by addressing their concerns in a coordinated, transparent, and expeditious manner.

The day commenced with the unveiling of the KBSC offices on the 16th floor of the NSSF building. This was followed by a gathering of key stakeholders at Serena to inaugurate the KBSC, a pioneering initiative to foster a more conducive environment for business establishment and growth. The centre is set to provide a wide range of services, including advisory services, collation and dissemination of business information, facilitation of business linkages to global markets, and provision of data.

The event, officiated by Hon. Rebecca Miano, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry, symbolised a new era of collaboration, innovation, and prosperity for Kenya's business community. KEPSA was led by the CEO, Ms. Carole Kariuki, alongside the Vice Chair, Ms. Brenda Mbathi, and the KEPSA Foundation Chair, Mr. Patrick Obath, among other KEPSA leaders.

In her remarks, Ms Kariuki envisioned KBSC as a powerhouse of collaboration and innovation, terming it a milestone for Kenya's global competitiveness. She shed light on KEPSA's role in advocating for the ease of doing business and Kenya’s global competitiveness through labour, logistics, the cost of raw materials, the cost of capital, and the cost of utility. She iterated KEPSA’s support in ensuring maximum benefits from the initiative, which builds on KEPSA’s Focus.

“KBSC will play a critical role in fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration, and its inclusive nature will drive economic growth,” she noted, urging stakeholders to support entrepreneurship and seize the opportunities offered by the KBSC for a prosperous future. "KBSC represents a new era of collaboration and growth, where businesses of all sizes can thrive, and the private sector is poised for success."

Hon. Miano termed KBSC as a game-changer in Kenya's economic trajectory. She added that Kenya’s aspiration for promoting and facilitating domestic and foreign investments, as well as promoting trade, can only be achieved through an efficient system that facilitates businesses such as KBCS. She noted that the centre would be a one-stop shop for all business needs for all businesses accessible both online and a physical walk-in centre at the NSSF building with other centres in Kisumu, Eldoret, Mombasa, and Kariobangi South. The centre at Nyeri is currently under development, along with other centres in progress.

Other speakers at the event included Mr. Richard Muteti - CEO of The Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali Associations; Mr. Ben Mutahi - Chair of the MSME Alliance of Kenya; Mr. James Mureu - Chair of MSEA; Mr. Patric Nyangueso - CEO of KNCCI; Mr. Anthony Mwangi - CEO of Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM); Mr. Haron Ng’eno- Director CoG, representing the Council of Governors; Dr. Juma Mukhwana – Principal Secretary for Industry; Hon. Robert Githinji – National Assembly Committee on Trade; Hon. Lenku Ole Kanar – The Senate Business Committee.