PS Susan Mang’eni Highlights Kenya’s MSME Transformation at Africa Start-Up Conference 2025
Kenya’s Principal Secretary for the State Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Hon. Susan Mang’eni, on Wednesday represented the country at the Africa Start-Up Conference 2025 Ministerial Summit in Algiers, Algeria, where she delivered an extensive presentation on Kenya’s achievements in strengthening its MSME sector and positioning small enterprises at the centre of national economic transformation.
The conference brought together ministers, policy leaders, innovators, investors and development partners from across the continent to explore strategies for accelerating Africa’s start-up ecosystem. Delegates focused on innovation-friendly policies, the expansion of digital infrastructure, youth enterprise development, and collective approaches to enabling start-ups to scale across borders. The ministerial session, at which PS Mang’eni spoke, served as a platform for member states to share their progress and lessons in promoting inclusive entrepreneurship.
In her address, PS Mang’eni outlined Kenya’s deliberate and structured efforts to make MSMEs a core driver of economic growth under the Governments Agenda. She emphasised that the government has prioritised access to finance, digital service delivery, skills development and market opportunities to ensure that micro and small enterprises thrive in an increasingly competitive and technology-driven economy.
A major part of her presentation focused on financial inclusion. She explained that one of the biggest obstacles facing small businesses across Africa has been limited access to affordable credit. To address this, Kenya introduced the Hustler Fund, a nationwide financial inclusion programme that provides low-interest loans without the need for collateral. According to the PS, the fund has enabled millions of traders to borrow affordably and build their financial history. She stated that the initiative continues to expand with new features that support group-based lending, micro-savings, and targeted products for women and youth enterprises. She noted that the Hustler Fund remains a historic milestone in Kenya’s efforts to expand credit access at the grassroots level.
PS Mang’eni also highlighted the impact of the NYOTA Project, a national enterprise empowerment programme designed to support young entrepreneurs through business training and a KSh 50,000 start-up grant. She reported that more than 100,000 MSME start-ups are set to benefit from the initiative, which combines classroom-based training, practical skills development, and mentorship before capital is disbursed. She explained that the NYOTA Project is more than a grant programme; it is a structured empowerment model that equips young entrepreneurs with the tools and knowledge required to establish sustainable enterprises. Her presentation attracted interest from several African delegations who expressed a desire to learn from Kenya’s blended approach to training and financing.
Another key element of her statement focused on Kenya’s progress in digital transformation. She noted that the government has achieved significant milestones in the rollout of digital infrastructure and the digitisation of public services. She highlighted the ongoing construction of over 100,000 kilometres of digital superhighway, a national project intended to improve connectivity, support innovation hubs, and expand opportunities for digital enterprises. She announced that the project is currently 35 per cent complete, marking substantial progress in Kenya’s digital agenda.
The PS further explained that Kenya has digitised more than 22,000 government services, which has made it easier, faster and more convenient for businesses and citizens to access essential public services. She said this digital shift has contributed to reducing bureaucratic delays, lowering business costs, and improving transparency in government operations. She noted that entrepreneurs can now register businesses, apply for licences, submit returns, and access government information through online platforms, strengthening the overall ease of doing business.
Throughout her engagement, PS Mang’eni reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to working with other African states to strengthen the continent’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. She encouraged governments to collaborate more closely in sharing experiences, harmonising policies, and promoting cross-border business opportunities. She observed that Africa’s young population remains its greatest economic asset and emphasised the need to prioritise programmes that empower young innovators and MSMEs to participate fully in economic development.
Delegates at the conference commended Kenya for the practical steps it has taken to support small businesses and promote digital transformation. Many noted that Kenya’s combination of affordable credit access, digital service delivery, and empowerment programmes such as the Hustler Fund and NYOTA Project offers a model that other African countries can learn from. They praised the country’s forward-looking approach to building a modern, inclusive and innovation-driven economy.
The Africa Start-Up Conference 2025 concluded with renewed commitments from participating nations to accelerate the growth of Africa’s start-up ecosystem. PS Susan Mang’eni’s presentation positioned Kenya as a continental leader in MSME support and digital transformation, reaffirming the country’s ongoing dedication to empowering entrepreneurs, strengthening financial inclusion and supporting youth-led enterprises.
