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Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA) Managing Director & CEO, Henry Rithaa, along with key members of the management team, recently convened with representatives from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) to explore potential areas of collaboration in bolstering the capacity of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs).
The meeting, attended by Bernd Lakemeier, GIZ Team Leader and Cluster Coordinator, Irene Omogi, Head of Component Center of Entrepreneurship, and other experts, focused on fostering a structured partnership to enhance MSEs’ capabilities.
A centerpiece of the discussion was the implementation of the SME Loop, a comprehensive capacity-building program designed to span six months. This initiative will encompass training and coaching sessions tailored to empower youth startups across four counties. MSEA CEO emphasized the importance of nurturing entrepreneurial mindsets among youth, equipping them with essential skills for sustainable business growth.
Moreover, the collaboration aims to fortify MSEA staff with knowledge and skills vital for supporting the dynamic MSEs sector. Rithaa assured GIZ of MSEA’s unwavering commitment to fostering MSEs’ growth through initiatives like NYOTA. As part of the partnership, GIZ projects will allocate Ksh 50,000 to startups and support MSEs’ value chains in key priority areas identified by the government.
Furthermore, the GIZ projects will facilitate global market access for MSEs’ products, establish financial linkages, and implement environmental sustainability interventions. The partnership signals a concerted effort to enhance the resilience and competitiveness of MSEs, driving economic empowerment and inclusive growth in Kenya’s entrepreneurial landscape.