Kenya Industrial Estates (KIE) and the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) have entered into a strategic partnership to strengthen support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with a focus on access to finance, industrialisation, enterprise development and market opportunities.
The partnership was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between KIE Managing Director Mr. Nelson M. Kwamini and KNCCI President Dr. Erick Rutto establishing a framework for the two institutions to leverage their respective strengths in advancing Kenya’s MSME sector.
The collaboration brings together KIE’s mandate in development finance, industrial infrastructure, enterprise incubation and business support with KNCCI’s extensive business network, trade facilitation, advocacy and market-access platforms.
Speaking during the signing, Mr. Kwamini said the partnership will strengthen the support ecosystem available to MSMEs by connecting enterprises to complementary services and opportunities for growth.
“By bringing together KIE’s financing, incubation and industrial development capabilities with KNCCI’s business network and market-access platforms, we are creating stronger pathways for MSMEs to access the support and opportunities they need to grow,” said Mr. Kwamini.
He added that stronger institutional collaboration is essential in addressing the barriers that continue to constrain the growth and competitiveness of MSMEs, particularly access to finance, markets, business development services and industrial infrastructure.
Dr. Rutto said the partnership should translate into practical outcomes for businesses, particularly through expanded market opportunities and stronger enterprises capable of creating jobs and contributing to economic growth.
“This MoU must translate into stronger businesses, more jobs and expanded market opportunities for Kenyan MSMEs,” said Dr. Rutto.
The partnership will facilitate collaboration in areas including enterprise financing, business development, industrialization, market linkages and trade opportunities while creating avenues for MSMEs supported by KIE to benefit from KNCCI’s business and market networks.
The signing was witnessed by Hon. Albert Memusi, KIE Director alongside KIE Managers. While Dr. Rutto was accompanied by KNCCI Company Secretary Mr. Kihara Njuguna, Busia Chapter Chairman Mr. Sylvanus Abungu, Head of Trade Development Mr. Simon Ndung’u and Head of Membership Growth & Services Ms. Ann Milia.
The collaboration reinforces KIE’s commitment to building strategic partnerships that expand opportunities for MSMEs and support the development of a more productive, competitive and industrialized enterprise sector.
For KIE, the partnership with KNCCI provides an important platform to move beyond financing and infrastructure support by strengthening the connections between enterprises, markets and business networks ultimately enabling more Kenyan MSMEs to scale, create employment and contribute to sustainable economic development.
