By Jeff Kizzilah Digital Editor
Susan Mangeni- Principal Secretary MSME during the Launch
The Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development, Hon. FCPA Dr. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya, has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to empowering Kenya’s MSME sector, describing it as the backbone of the country’s economy and the engine that will drive job creation and inclusive economic growth.
Speaking during a media briefing ahead of the World MSME Day 2026.
Dr. Oparanya announced that this year’s national celebrations will be held on Saturday, June 27, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), where President Dr. William Samoei Ruto is expected to preside over the event.
Marking the 10th anniversary of the United Nations-designated World MSME Day, this year’s global theme is “Empowering MSMEs through Innovation and Sustainable Industrial Development,” with a special focus on Human-Centered Entrepreneurship in an AI-Driven Future: Economic Empowerment for the Next Generation of MSMEs.
Dr. Oparanya noted that Kenya is home to approximately 7.4 million MSMEs, which employ nearly 15 million people, contribute 34 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and account for 91 percent of all new jobs created annually.
He emphasized that with nearly one million young Kenyans entering the labour market every year, supporting small businesses is essential for creating sustainable employment opportunities and strengthening economic stability.
The Cabinet Secretary highlighted key government initiatives supporting the sector, including the Hustler Fund, the NYOTA programme, the Kenya Jobs and Economic Transformation Project, the Credit Guarantee Scheme, the Kenya Credit Guarantee Company, the Women Enterprise Fund, the Youth Enterprise Development Fund, the Uwezo Fund, Kenya Industrial Estates, the Kenya Development Corporation, and AGPO procurement opportunities.
While applauding the Central Bank of Kenya for reducing its benchmark lending rate to encourage private sector lending, Dr. Oparanya acknowledged that access to affordable finance remains the biggest challenge facing MSMEs.
He said this year’s celebrations will focus on unlocking greater private sector financing by bringing together banks, development partners, multilateral institutions, technology innovators, and investors to develop practical solutions that will expand access to capital for small businesses.
The Cabinet Secretary also called on the media to help highlight both the achievements and challenges facing MSMEs while encouraging the public to participate in the national celebrations.
“The future of Kenya’s economy will be built by its small businesses—the mama mboga, the boda boda rider, the artisan and the young innovator. Together, we must provide them with financing, markets and confidence to grow,” Dr. Oparanya said.
The World MSME Day 2026 celebrations are expected to attract more than 3,000 participants from across the enterprise ecosystem, reinforcing Kenya’s commitment to promoting entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable economic transformation.
