MSEA KWALE BUILDS MSME CAPACITY ON GOVERNMENT FINANCING OPPORTUNITIES
MSEA Kwale Regional Office, in partnership with the Kwale County Government, conducted a two-day capacity-building training for MSMEs in Msambweni and Lungalunga constituencies on access to government financing opportunities, with a focus on the Kwale Biashara Fund. The training enhanced participants' awareness of affordable financing options while sensitizing them on the importance of business registration and formalization to improve access to government support and business development opportunities. MSEA also shared its Market Research Analysis Report, providing MSMEs with valuable market intelligence, insights into emerging business opportunities, and practical strategies to strengthen competitiveness and support sustainable business growth. #EmpoweringMSE @DrOparanya@SusanAMangeni@CoopsandMSMEs@MSMEs_KE@JamesMureu@HRithaa@OurKwaleCounty
The Principal Secretary, State Department for MSME Development, Ms. Susan Mang’eni
flanked by Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA) CEO Mr. Henry Rithaa, Dr. Moses Banda of the Presidential Economic Transformation Secretariat (PETS), and MSMEs Secretary Mr. Mohammed Doyo today provided a status update on the implementation of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project.
To date, 122,147 youth across all 1,450 wards in Kenya, alongside 5,000 youth from Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps and host communities, have benefited from the Business Support Component through Business Development Services (BDS) training, mentorship, and the first tranche of start-up capital support.
Encouragingly, findings from the first mentorship cycle and second BDS training indicate that over 99% of beneficiaries who received start-up capital have already established businesses, demonstrating strong entrepreneurial potential among Kenyan youth.
The Government acknowledges concerns regarding the delay in the disbursement of the second tranche of start-up capital, occasioned by budgetary adjustments following the expansion of the programme. Beneficiaries are advised that the second tranche will be disbursed to all eligible youth before 30th June 2026, with all beneficiaries receiving support simultaneously.
The Government appreciates the patience and continued support of beneficiaries and stakeholders and urges the public to rely on official NYOTA communication channels for authentic updates and announcements.
#EmpoweringMSEs @NYOTA_Kenya@DrOparanya@SusanAMangeni@CoopsandMSMEs@MSMEs_KE@NYC_YouthVoice@HRithaa@JamesMureu
MSEA, KAM EXPLORE COLLABORATION TO BOOST GROWTH OF MICRO AND SMALL ENTERPRISES
Today, Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA) CEO Henry Rithaa and the management team hosted a delegation from the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) led by CEO Tobias Alando. The meeting sought to explore potential areas of partnership aimed at supporting the growth and sustainability of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs). Key areas discussed included market access, access to financing, governance, capacity building, policy fragmentation, and MSE formalization.
MSEA PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL CASHEW CONFERENCE 2026
MSEA Kwale County Office participated in the National Cashew Conference 2026 held at Diani Beach Leisure Lodge in Kwale County. The conference brought together a wide range of key stakeholders across the agricultural and financial sectors, including the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency, KCB Bank Kenya, Tea Board of Kenya, and Equity Bank Kenya, among others. The primary focus of the conference was the cashew value chain, bringing together farmers, processors, and other industry players. The event aimed to create awareness, attract investment, and enhance market access within the cashew sector. Panel discussions addressed several critical thematic areas, including market access, processing and value chain sustainability, strategies for improving cashew marketing, industry financing and innovation, as well as investment opportunities in the cashew subsector. MSEA played a key role by mobilizing MSEs, farmers, and other stakeholders engaged in the cashew value chain to actively participate in the conference. The Authority also took part in the exhibition segment, where it sensitized MSEs on the importance of formalization, highlighting its role in improving access to markets, financing, and capacity building. MSEA CEO was represented at the conference by Director Eng. Edward Karani. Other notable attendees included the Chairperson and CEO of the Agriculture and Food Authority, the CEO of KEPROBA, and the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture in Kwale County. Overall, the conference provided a valuable platform for stakeholder engagement, knowledge sharing, and strengthening partnerships aimed at promoting the growth, sustainability, and competitiveness of the cashew value chain in Kenya. #EmpoweringMSEs @DrOparanya@SusanAMangeni@CoopsandMSMEs@MSMEs_KE@JamesMureu@Hrithaa@OurKwaleCounty
📍 Kwale County, Kinondo Ward (Dynamic Retail Hub – Kitchenware, Beddings & Footwear)
The second NYOTA mentorship session in Kinondo Ward brought together young entrepreneurs across retail, tailoring, and agribusiness sectors for an immersive learning experience.
The session was hosted at a busy, vibrant local enterprise dealing in kitchenware, beddings, and shoes. Participants had the opportunity to observe firsthand how a multi-product business operates, learning from the daily practices, strategies, and customer engagement approaches that drive its success.
Mentors led interactive discussions on managing finances, optimizing cash flow, improving customer relations, and developing effective marketing strategies. Emphasis was placed on building resilience, adapting to market demands, and creating value in a competitive environment.
#EmpoweringMSEs
#KuzaImarishaEndelezaVijana
@NYOTA_Kenya@DrOparanya@SusanAMangeni@CoopsandMSMEs@MSMEs_KE@NSSF_KE@nita_kenya@NYC_YouthVoice@SDY_Ke@nea_kenya@moyasa_ke@WorldBankKenya
Today, we have disbursed the @NYOTA_Kenya Project Business Start-Up Capital to 6,982 beneficiaries from Nyeri, Nyandarua, Kirinyaga, and Murang’a counties, disbursing a total of Ksh.173,200,000, in an event graced by our President, H.E. Dr William Ruto, CGH.
The combination of business start-up capital, entrepreneurship skills, and a strong savings culture provides a solid foundation for resilient families and a robust economy. The NYOTA start up capital is a first step toward transforming their lives and building sustainable enterprises.
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Over Ksh. 170 million in NYOTA business start-up capital has been disbursed to youth from Nyeri, Murang’a, Nyandarua, and Kirinyaga counties, marking a major milestone in the Government’s youth economic empowerment agenda.
H.E. Dr. William Ruto, CGH, President of the Republic of Kenya, together with H.E. Prof. Kithure Kindiki, Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya, presided over the disbursement ceremony at Kabiru-ini ASK Grounds, Nyeri, where 6,892 young entrepreneurs received start-up capital after successfully completing business skills training under the NYOTA Project. The beneficiaries are now positioned to start and scale sustainable enterprises.
The NYOTA Project targets 820,000 young people nationwide through an integrated business support, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for skilled but uncertified youth, training, mentorship, and on-the-job experience, as well as savings and financial inclusion to promote long-term economic stability.
Further strengthening the enabling environment, the County Governments of Nyeri, Murang’a, Nyandarua, and Kirinyaga announced a two-year tax and licence waiver for NYOTA beneficiaries, easing the cost of doing business as young entrepreneurs establish and grow their enterprises.
NYOTA represents a concrete step in reforming the economy by equipping youth with skills, capital, and market readiness.
#EmpoweringMSEs
#KuzaImarishaEndelezaVijana
@NYOTA_Kenya@SusanAMangeni@DrOparanya@CoopsandMSMEs@MSMEs_KE@WorldBankKenya@NSSF_ke@NYC_KE@SDY_Ke@NYC_YouthVoice
In his address, the President reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to placing young people at the centre of Kenya’s national transformation, noting that unlocking youth potential is critical to driving inclusive economic growth. He emphasized that deliberate investments are being made to ensure young people are active participants in the country’s economic journey.
The Head of State highlighted key national interventions creating pathways to opportunity for youth, including the Affordable Housing Programme, labour mobility and jobs abroad, digital jobs, and the NYOTA Project, all designed to expand access to employment, enterprise, and income.
Kenya has been celebrated as a trailblazer in harnessing digital transformation to drive the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the East African region. This recognition came during Kenya Day at the ongoing 25th EAC MSME Trade Fair at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi. The Kenya Symposium, part of the country-specific sessions at the Expo, showcased Kenya’s cultural vibrancy and best practices in building an enabling environment for enterprise development and growth.
I highlighted Kenya’s success story in digital transformation through flagship government programs such as the Hustler Fund, which, through a fully digitised process, has disbursed over Ksh 78 billion, creating digital credit profiles for more than 26 million Kenyans. Similarly, the newly launched NYOTA Project, also fully digital will provide Ksh 50,000 capital grants to over 100,000 MSMEs nationwide.
Representing the Government’s digital transformation agenda, Ms. Mercy Wanjau, Secretary to the Cabinet of the Republic of Kenya, emphasised the power of data-driven innovation in improving MSME access to markets and finance. She further advocated for the digital registration of green enterprises to enhance access to sustainable finance and accelerate green growth opportunities.
Kenya has welcomed the announcement by Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC), that the ITC, through its Global Call for MSMEs, is developing a digital platform for sharing best practices to support governments in integrating MSMEs into their economic transformation agendas.
Speaking during the same event, Dr. Stephen Jackson, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kenya, urged EAC governments to champion e-commerce, mobile innovation, and digital policy harmonisation as critical pathways to reducing the cost and complexity of doing business across the region.
MSEA EMPOWERS KWALE MSES WITH DIGITAL MARKETING AND E-COMMERCE TRAINING
MSEA Kwale Regional Office, in partnership with Posta Kenya and GIZ, held a capacity-building training on digital marketing and e-commerce for MSEs. The program equipped participants with practical skills to leverage digital platforms, enhance visibility, and expand market reach locally and internationally. The training featured demonstrations, case studies, and interactive discussions, enabling MSEs to apply digital tools directly to their businesses. By embracing digital transformation, participants gained insights on improving competitiveness, innovation, and sustainability. MSEA reaffirmed its commitment to supporting MSE growth through continued capacity-building initiatives that strengthen market access and resilience in the digital era. #EmpoweringMSEs @DrOparanya@SusanAMangeni@CoopsandMSMEs@MSMEs_KE@JamesMureu@HRithaa@OurKwaleCounty
MONITORING OF THE ONGOING NYOTA BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SKILLS TRAINING IN VIHIGA COUNTY
MSEA CEO Mr. Henry Rithaa accompanied by Board Director John Kihonge led a monitoring exercise for the ongoing NYOTA entrepreneurship training in Vihiga County.
MSEA Board Directors Mr. Timothy Biwott, Mr. Benard Kiragu, and Ms. Ruth Bikambo, joined by the MSEA Kwale County Head, visited the Lunga Lunga CIDC where they were received by Mr. Kiilu Maundu, Chairperson of the Juakali Association known for its vibrant woodcarving enterprise.
MSEA Kwale Regional Office held a partnership meeting with the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operations Officer of NIA Ventures to explore potential areas of collaboration aimed at strengthening the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Kwale County.
MSEA Kwale Regional Office participated in a consultative meeting under the Private Sector Engagement Framework of the Kenya Urban Support Programme Phase II (KUSP II), a World Bank-funded initiative. @DrOparanya@SusanAMangeni
FORMALIZATION MILESTONE FOR LUNGA LUNGA CROSS-BORDER TRADERS
MSEA Kwale Regional Office, in collaboration with the Kwale County Government, held a consultative meeting with the Lunga Lunga Cross-Border Traders Association to officially present its registration certificate issued
MSEA EMPOWERS AT-RISK YOUTH IN KWALE THROUGH SKILLS TRANSFER AND ENTERPRISE SUPPORT
MSEA Kwale Regional Office held an engagement meeting with youth beneficiaries of a skills transfer programme implemented in collaboration with the Juakali sector.