"Beyond Survival": Richard Muteti Praises KEPSA SME Conference, Says Kenya's 7.4 Million Small Businesses Are Ready for Global Growth

 Renowned MSME champion Richard Muteti has described the 3rd Annual KEPSA SME Conference, Awards and Exhibition as a landmark event that signals a new era for Kenya's micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), saying the country is laying a strong foundation for sustainable enterprise growth, innovation and job creation.

Muteti, who serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Confederation of Micro and Small Enterprises Organization of East Africa (CMSEO-EA), Chairperson of the Advisory Council of the All-Africa Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (AAASME), and a long-serving advocate for small business development across Africa, said the conference demonstrated Kenya's growing commitment to empowering entrepreneurs through strategic partnerships and forward-looking policies.

He lauded Principal Secretary for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Susan Auma Mang'eni for championing initiatives that are transforming the entrepreneurial landscape. According to Muteti, flagship programs such as the Kenya Jobs and Economic Transformation (KJET) Project and the NYOTA Programme are equipping entrepreneurs with access to financing, business development services, digital skills and market opportunities needed to expand and compete both locally and internationally.

"The conference showcased the government's determination to create an enabling environment where entrepreneurs can move beyond survival and build resilient, innovative and globally competitive enterprises," Muteti said.

He also commended the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) for organizing the high-profile event, singling out KEPSA Chief Executive Officer Carole Kariuki and Director for SMEs and Start-ups Mary Ngechu for their continued efforts in strengthening the country's MSME ecosystem.

Muteti further recognized Equity Bank and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Kenya for supporting initiatives that promote innovation, digital transformation, affordable financing and expanded market access for small businesses.

He noted that the conference theme, "Beyond Survival: Building Smart and Resilient Businesses," captures the aspirations of Kenya's estimated 7.4 million MSMEs, which remain the backbone of the country's economy by creating employment opportunities and driving inclusive economic growth.

Muteti emphasized that stronger collaboration between government institutions, the private sector, financial institutions and development partners will be essential in unlocking the full potential of the MSME sector.

He said sustained investment in entrepreneurship, digitalization, access to affordable credit and business capacity building will enable Kenyan enterprises to become more competitive in regional and global markets while accelerating industrialization and economic transformation.

The annual KEPSA SME Conference, Awards and Exhibition has increasingly become one of Kenya's premier platforms for connecting entrepreneurs, policymakers, financiers and development partners to discuss solutions aimed at strengthening the country's vibrant small business sector. This year's conference focused on practical strategies for helping enterprises build resilience, embrace technology and seize emerging economic opportunities.