By Gloria Simiyu
The county government through the department of Business trade and Markets in partnership with the USAID and Strathmore University has plans to strengthen the capacity of Kisumu SMEs and build linkages to international markets through a project dabbed the Kenya small business development center.
The Kenya small business development center initiative is a 5-year project aimed at acquiring sustainable and fundable MSMEs to increase productivity and profitability, The project targets close to 2500 SMEs in Kisumu by providing entrepreneurial skills, marketing, policy and finance.
The project is currently being piloted in 7 counties including Kisumu, Isiolo, Makueni, Kiambu, Nakuru, Mombasa and Nairobi. The intention is to impact the livelihoods of SMEs by empowering different aspects of entrepreneurship in the county and promoting competitiveness.
In Kisumu, the project is spearheaded in collaboration with the county directorate of trade and enterprise through the county administration unit tasked with the identification of the local SMEs within the various administrative wards. According to Director Enos Adala, the County looks forward to adapt and implement the project to support small businesses in the County.
The objective of the project is to establish and operationalize an accredited network of the county baseline assessment on the SMEs in Kisumu, to develop inclusive and diverse networks of MSMEs to catalyze growth and trade opportunities in the county.
The initiative organized a capacity building training for the sub county and ward administrators on the concept of the Kenya small business development center with the focus on Agribusiness, Creatives, textile, transport sector, manufacturing, finance and insurance, CT, construction and infrastructure food and hospitality and business service.
The forum was also graced by Director Fisheries, Susan Adhiambo, Director Administration, Leonard Kwama, project officers and county officials.
