Nairobi: The Micro Enterprises Support Programme Trust (MESPT) has officially launched its 2026-2030 Strategic Plan, marking a new phase in its efforts to support farmers, Agri-MSMEs, and job creation across Kenya.
According to Kenya News Agency, the new strategy, themed ‘Strengthening the Pathway to Resilience,’ focuses on helping over 500,000 smallholder farmers and Agri-MSMEs improve their incomes, access financing, and adapt to climate change. Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, Wycliffe Oparanya, highlighted the challenges faced by farmers and MSMEs in accessing affordable finance, and the limited capacity of SACCOs and financial institutions to effectively serve the agricultural sector.
In a speech read on his behalf by Henry Rithaa, Director General of the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority Kenya, CS Oparanya commended MESPT for its role in linking farmers, cooperatives, MSMEs, and financial institutions, and for demonstrating that development goes beyond funding to building effective systems.
Oparanya praised MESPT’s focus on combining financial solutions with capacity building, market access, climate resilience, and sustainability. He emphasized the importance of agriculture and MSMEs in economic growth, job creation, and livelihood improvement, and noted that the strategic plan outlines clear targets and measurable outcomes needed for economic transformation.
The Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development is prioritizing the strengthening of SACCOs and cooperative institutions, expanding affordable credit access for MSMEs, supporting value addition and market access, and integrating young people and women into the economy. Oparanya stressed the need for removing barriers to finance, supporting entrepreneurship, and creating opportunities for the youth.
He commended MESPT for its strategic shift toward becoming a system-level enabler, highlighting the necessity of building robust financial, market, and institutional systems for sustained impact. The strategy also emphasizes climate resilience and green finance to support farmers and MSMEs in adopting climate-smart practices.
MESPT Chief Executive Officer, Rebecca Amukhoye, stated that by 2030, MESPT aims to scale access to responsive agri- and green financial services and facilitate Kenya’s transition to an inclusive, climate-resilient agri-food system. Over the next five years, MESPT plans to increase access to affordable financing, support business growth, improve market access, and promote sustainable farming practices.
Amukhoye outlined MESPT’s goal to mobilize Ksh 7.2 billion in inclusive financing, strengthen over 100 local financial institutions, and support 500 SMEs and cooperatives. These efforts are expected to create 100,000 jobs and income opportunities, particularly for women and youth, through four strategic pillars: scaling inclusive Agri- and green finance, strengthening business development services, climate adaptation, and strengthening systems, partnerships, and policy.
The new strategy builds on achievements from 2021 to 2025, during which MESPT connected over 112,000 farmers to markets, provided over Sh 2 billion in financing, and supported businesses generating sales worth Sh 6.8 billion. MESPT also contributed to job creation, productivity improvement, and environmental conservation by planting over 2 million trees and promoting sustainable farming technologies.
MESPT is dedicated to growing smallholder farmers and Agri-SMEs to boost productivity, income, and competitiveness for job creation, especially for youth and women, through capacity building, technical support, business advisory, and financial and market linkages.
