Kenya first to confirm attendance at inaugural Global SME Ministerial meeting
During a visit by ITC Deputy Executive Director Dorothy Tembo, the Government of Kenya became the first to confirm its attendance at the inaugural Ministerial Meeting on SMEs, a global platform dedicated to the millions of small businesses that form the backbone of the global economy.
From 22 to 24 July, ministers representing micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) will gather in Durban, South Africa for a meeting facilitated by the International Trade Centre (ITC).
Honourable Wycliffe Oparanya, Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSME Development, confirmed that he will represent Kenya at the meeting.
Tembo had travelled to Kenya to advance discussions on ITC opening permanent offices in the country, beyond the projects that are already underway.
ITC is deepening its engagement with key Kenyan authorities and small business advocates, while exploring opportunities to strengthen collaboration in trade, investment, and enterprise development.
ITC aims to align its work with Kenya’s development priorities and trade policy agenda, leveraging Nairobi’s position as a regional hub to better collaborate with the UN system, regional economic bodies, and trade-related institutions.
Small businesses play a central role in Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda. As the UN small business agency, ITC is committed to providing technical assistance, trade facilitation, and policy support. Tembo and Oparanya also explored digital finance solutions and other initiatives to make small businesses more competitive and improve their market access.
Key initiatives such as the Hustler Fund and the Annual Kenya Public-Private Sector MSMEs Dialogue were identified as priority areas for collaboration.
ITC and Kenya cooperation will continue accelerating opportunities for small businesses, foster innovation, and drive sustainable trade-led growth.
