Over 100 small businesses converged in Nairobi for Safaricom's maiden SME Exhibition. The event, themed "Accelerating MSMEs Growth through Adoption of Technology and Innovation," brought together creative business solutions, encouraged partnerships, and congregated key stakeholders to discuss ways of supporting SMEs and growing the broader business ecosystem.

This is not just about showcasing the products, as it opens up channels to network, learn, and collaborate using Safaricom's Grow My Business Platform. Participating SMEs got to present their thoughts, met with their kinds of people, and understood other ways in which they do things to grow their businesses.

Safaricom's Chief Executive Peter Ndegwa reassured this when he took the stage:

“We remain committed to supporting MSMEs across the country. Working in concert with other stakeholders, we build an enabling environment for innovation, entrepreneurship, and growth.”

Supporting Small Businesses for a Better Future

Safaricom Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Cynthia Kropac, added that such initiatives play an important role in creating lasting change in Kenya's business community:

“We are focused on creating opportunities for businesses to thrive and play their part in the economic and social development of Kenya. Our goal is to ensure these efforts have a lasting, positive impact that benefits everyone.”

If anything, the Expo was a kaleidoscopic display of what indeed makes Kenya's SMEs stand out. Businesses from all sectors including manufacturing to agribusiness, trade, and services displayed their creativity and resilience. These small-scale businesses are becoming increasingly important to the economy of Kenya, with clear strategic attention toward developing local and regional trade relationships.

Why This Matters

This, however, is more than an isolated event. It's actually part of a wider initiative by Safaricom: empowering small businesses with access to technology and providing an avenue for growth. As many such events come to the fore, SMEs in Kenya have great expectations for the future.