Kenya rolls out Credit-Led Manufacturing Boost to Power MSME Expansion
President William Ruto speaking to exhibitors during the launch of the 25th East African Community (EAC) MSME Trade Fair and Symposium in Nairobi on 11th November, 2025
Kenya has intensified its efforts to accelerate the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through expanded credit access, county aggregation and increased manufacturing investments, positioning the sector at the heart of national economic transformation.
President Dr. William Ruto, speaking at the official launch of the 25th East African Community (EAC) MSME Trade Fair and Symposium at Uhuru Gardens on Tuesday, 11th November, outlined the impact of the Hustler Fund, which has so far disbursed more than Ksh. 80 billion to over 26 million Kenyans. He said the Fund’s Bridge Loan facility now allows entrepreneurs to borrow up to Ksh. 150,000 at a single-digit interest rate, easing the liquidity challenges faced by small businesses.
He emphasized that the credit-scoring model developed under the Hustler Fund has evolved into a practical collateralization tool that enables MSMEs without traditional assets to access financing from banks and formal lenders.
“In addition to financial inclusion, the Government of Kenya is investing in County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs) across all 47 counties. These parks are designed to support agro-processing, consolidate agricultural production, and commercialize county-level value chains. By providing common-user facilities, CAIPs will significantly reduce the capital burden on MSMEs, enabling them to scale up production, create jobs, and boost exports,” he said.
Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSME Development Dr. Wycliffe Oparanya emphasized the role of finance, technology adoption and green growth in shaping the future of MSMEs. He also presented the EAC MSME Ministerial Roundtable Communiqué adopted during the Expo, which calls for enhanced support for green enterprises through funding, capacity building, market access and technology transfer. He reaffirmed the critical role of MSMEs in Africa’s economic future, stating,
“We reaffirm the importance of MSMEs as engines of innovation, employment and inclusive growth, and acknowledge their contribution to environmental sustainability across the African region.”
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja praised MSMEs for anchoring the city’s economy, noting that Nairobi contributes 27% of Kenya’s GDP and hosts 96% of the country’s registered businesses. He highlighted county reforms such as the Unified Business Permit, a digital licensing system aimed at simplifying compliance, alongside the construction of 10 modern markets in collaboration with the national government. He commended MSMEs as the foundation of the city’s economic output.
“Here in Nairobi, the story of MSMEs is the story of our economy. As Kenya’s capital and largest city, Nairobi is the home of MSMEs in the country and in the region. We contribute 27.5% of the national GDP, with most of the businesses being micro, small or medium enterprises,” he said encouraging visitors to walk through the Central Business District to witness the vibrancy and diversity of small traders who power Nairobi’s commercial ecosystem.
Principal Secretary for MSME Development Hon. Susan Mang’eni highlighted Kenya’s leadership in integrating technology and innovation into enterprise development, reaffirming the government’s commitment to scaling digital platforms and strengthening regional partnerships that support MSME competitiveness.
EAC Deputy Secretary General for Customs, Trade and Monetary Affairs Annette Ssemuwemba Mutaawe praised the diversity of products showcased at the Trade Fair and highlighted the rollout of the EAC Regional Payment System Masterplan, which aims to streamline cross-border transactions and boost intra-regional commerce.
International Trade Centre (ITC) Executive Director Ms. Pamela Coke-Hamilton encouraged EAC member states to deepen regional integration to unlock sustainable MSME growth. She announced the opening of ITC’s first regional corporate office outside Geneva, located in Nairobi, to strengthen partnerships with the Global South and support export-ready SMEs across the region.
