Expo sheds light on challenges facing small businesses in Kenya
From left: Nation Media Group General Manager, Commercial, James Sogoti, Nation Media Group Chief Executive Officer Stephen Gitagama, President of Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Richard Ngatia, Ministry of Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui and Kenya National Federation of Juakali Associations Chief Executive Officer Richard Muteti, arrive for the second day of the 4th Edition of the SMEs Conference and Expo held at the KICC grounds last week.
The fourth edition of the Nation Media Group SME Conference and Expo that started on March 15 came to a close on March 17, 2023, bringing together more than 15,000 participants and 150 exhibitors at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.
Racheal Wawira (left) of Joyfull Creations, that deals with paper beads, talks to her clients during the second edition of Nation Media Group’s SMEs Conference & Expo at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi March 19, 2021.
Exhibitors present were drawn from various segments of the economy. Under the finance segment for instance, Roots Credit, a microfinance institution, showcased some of the financial products it has developed to help financially underserved SMEs access better credit, while The Bank of Baroda displayed new products it has launched targeting SMEs, such as a current account product that accrues interest over time.
Peter Mwangi of ChamNai Apparels talks to a client during the second edition of Nation Media Group’s SMEs Conference & Expo at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi onMarch 20, 2021.
Under the agriculture category, Ms Soin Chebet of Soin Honey got an opportunity to display organic honey products sourced from Baringo County. Under manufacturing, ROK industries displayed products such as confectionery, and plastic products that the firm manufactures in industrial area. From the ICT sector, firms such as Robisearch Ltd and Pergamon Group showcased digital product offerings aimed at making work easier.
Jerina Munywoki displays beadwork and soft stones during the second edition of Nation Media Group’s SMEs Conference & Expo at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi on March 19, 2021.
Other organisations that exhibited included Karembou, Kenya Industrial Estates, Kenic, Stima Sacco, I Choose Life, Tally Solutions, Thika Cloth Mills Limited, the Star Discover Insurance, Simpet Global Logistics Ltd, Kerio Valley Development Authority, Scalestech, Bandari Sacco Ltd, Ikomali, Minet, Capex Life Assurance, Judiciary Tribunals, Micro and Small Enterprises Authority, Kenya (MSEA Kenya), Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA Kenya), Tek Box and KNCCI.
Jane M. Munyao (right) of Kijiko Enterprises talks to a client during the second edition of Nation Media Group’s SMEs Conference & Expo at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi on March 19, 2021.
Given the significance of these MSMEs as a source of employment, the NMG Conference and Expo also featured discussions on what needs to be done to help them grow into larger organisations. This included discussions on the need to promote policies that encourage innovation and the adoption of new technologies.
Abdkadir Billow of Zindiz Designs during the second edition of Nation Media Group’s SMEs Conference & Expo at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi on March 19, 2021.
It was noted that while many SMEs are willing to adopt new technologies, they face challenges such as the high cost of ICT infrastructure that stops them from making the move towards digital. There were also discussions about what needs to be done to support access to finance. Lack of adequate capital is one of the biggest challenges stifling the growth of SMEs.
Employees of Star Team Group arrange some of the local grade A coffee on display during the second day of the 4th Edition of the SMEs Conference and Expo at the KICC grounds on March 16, 2023.
