Small Business Development Centers

Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are critical drivers of economic growth and contribute substantially towards poverty reduction, employment, and income generation. Kenya has an estimated 1.5 million formally registered MSMEs and over 5 million informal MSMEs. They collectively generate 30 percent of the GDP and provide non-agricultural employment. Kenyan MSMEs operate in all sectors of the economy, with large concentrations in wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, and food services. The Kenya Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) program strengthens the capacity of Kenyan MSMEs and builds linkages to U.S. counterparts. The program targets MSMEs at any stage of business in the agribusiness (crops, livestock, and fisheries) and apparel and creatives (artisanal, visual arts, cinema, audiovisual, and multimedia) sectors.