Kisumu: Players in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and industry stakeholders have called on governments and development partners to invest more in the business sector to unlock the next phase of business growth in Kenya. Speaking during the launch of the inaugural three-day Business Ecosystems Summit (BES) 2025 in Kisumu, the MSME representatives, corporates, and sector associations emphasized the need for increased support and capital deployment that matches the ambition and economic contribution of Kenya’s 7.4 million MSMEs.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Summit, organized by The IMC People in partnership with the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB), the Kisumu County Government, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) Kisumu Chapter, and Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA), among other partners, is aimed at showcasing the region’s readiness to support enterprise development and attract investment across multiple sectors. The national and county governments were urged to collaborate with other stakeholders to grow the MSME sector, which significantly contributes to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Jeanette Oromo, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The IMC People, the convener of the Summit, challenged the business community to turn commitments made at the Summit into concrete actions. She stressed the need to move beyond rhetoric and actively deploy capital into MSMEs, highlighting the major challenges of limited access to financing and capital, despite these enterprises being the backbone of the economy.
A report from the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development indicates that MSMEs power over 80 percent of Kenya’s workforce and contribute nearly 40 percent of the country’s GDP, yet they still face challenges accessing affordable credit. They employ approximately 15 million people in Kenya, representing about 85 percent of the non-farm workforce. The 2016 MSME Survey reported over 7.4 million MSMEs in the country, with unlicensed businesses accounting for more than half of the total employment.
Kisumu Governor, Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, and Chair of the LREB, emphasized the county’s business readiness, citing the return of major business conferences as evidence. He highlighted Kisumu’s strategic location as East Africa’s commercial gateway and its dedication to convening impactful global engagements and providing investment opportunities.
The Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to Kenya, Ms. Nasra Salim Mohammed Al Hashmi, underscored the need for collaboration between government and stakeholders. She noted that Kenya serves as a strategic gateway to East and Central Africa and emphasized the importance of cross-regional networks that empower women-led enterprises, youth innovators, and startups with global aspirations.
The three-day summit includes high-level plenary sessions, sector-specific panels, investment matchmaking, and an expansive marketplace that attracted over 10,000 visitors on its first day. It features more than 300 exhibitors, most of them innovative MSMEs, and over 1,000 participants from 23 countries, offering immense opportunities across key sectors like agriculture, renewable energy, healthcare, technology, and manufacturing.
