Mombasa: At least 100 beneficiaries of the Government’s National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme will be among 500 Kenyan Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) selected to participate in the 26th East African Community (EAC) MSME Trade Fair in Kigali, Rwanda. The participation is expected to provide young entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase their products, access regional markets, establish business partnerships, and gain exposure to new opportunities within the EAC market.
According to Kenya News Agency, Cooperatives and MSME Development Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya emphasized the government’s priority on MSMEs due to their significant contribution to employment creation, livelihoods, and the national economy. Oparanya highlighted that more than 21 million people are engaged in the MSME sector, making it a vital economic driver for the country. The government is focusing on improving access to finance, markets, and digital transformation to enable MSMEs to grow and compete locally, regionally, and internationally.
Oparanya addressed the media in Nairobi during the commissioning of the EAC MSME Trade Fair 2026 National Organising Committee. The committee is tasked with coordinating the preparations for the Kenyan delegation to Kigali, overseeing facilitation, travel logistics, movement of goods, certification, and security coordination. He noted that MSMEs contribute over 30 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and are key to transforming the Kenyan economy.
The Government has prioritized creating an enabling environment for small enterprises to access affordable capital, markets, and appropriate technology. Oparanya mentioned various financing programs, including the Hustler Fund, which has disbursed over Sh90 billion, to support MSMEs and individuals. The government aims to expand financing levels as enterprises progress, enabling them to grow and eventually transition to commercial financing.
Principal Secretary for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Susan Mang’eni, stated that the NYOTA beneficiaries’ participation in the trade fair would allow them to access the regional market, build capacity, establish business connections, and expand enterprises. The inclusion is part of the Government’s continued support beyond the NYOTA programme’s initial implementation.
Micro and Small Enterprise Authority (MSEA) Chairman Dr. James Mureu pointed out that the EAC MSME Trade Fair provides a crucial platform for Kenyan businesses to access regional markets and establish commercial partnerships. He emphasized the importance of product quality, innovation, and technology adoption for East African enterprises to compete globally and benefit from the regional market.
The 26th EAC MSME Trade Fair is anticipated to attract nearly 2,000 exhibitors from participating EAC partner states, with Kenya expected to field about 500 exhibitors representing all 47 counties. The event will feature country-specific days and thematic discussions focusing on various issues affecting MSMEs, including digital business and trade financing.
For NYOTA beneficiaries, the trade fair participation is expected to complement the financial and business support received under the programme, offering exposure to regional markets and the chance to build networks that could aid enterprise expansion. The Kenyan delegation’s participation will continue to be coordinated by the National Organising Committee, ensuring smooth facilitation, travel arrangements, and security ahead of the event in Kigali.
