Launch of the 2025 Route to Market Strategy
The Principal Secretary for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development, Susan Mang’eni, today lauded the private sector’s commitment to transforming Kenya’s export landscape through digitization and inclusive growth during the launch of the 2025 Route to Market Strategy.
The PS Mang’eni emphasized the vital role of MSMEs in driving Kenya’s economic transformation, calling for strategic collaboration to unlock new opportunities across local and international markets.
“As part of our ongoing commitment to strengthen the MSME sector, this document shall provide a strategic Route to Market ,supporting our enterprises to enhance competitiveness, access global markets, and drive inclusive economic growth" she noted
Speaking on the same event,Principal Secretary, State Department for Industry, Dr Juma Mukhwana emphasized the importance of global competitiveness. “As industrialisation advances, it inevitably raises a critical question - are we competitive? Growth alone is not enough; our industries must be able to stand toe-to-toe with global players in terms of quality, efficiency, innovation, and sustainability.”
KAM Chief Executive Tobias Alando underscored the transformative nature of the strategy as Kenya’s trade compass, a blueprint for economic transformation,noting it will charts a clear path toward expanding our global footprint, strengthening our export ecosystem, and unlocking new opportunities for Kenyan products and services.
The strategy is anchored on five key pillars namely, Market Diversification and Trade Agreement Utilization; Digital Preparedness and Trade Intelligence;Compliance, Sustainability, and Standards; Financial Resilience and Risk Mitigation and Enhancing Exports through Clusters and Value Addition
The government’s has put efforts to support industrialization and trade which is critical in building resilient value chains and fostering inclusive economic development. Some of notable efforts are in the proposed ammendment to SME act that will include value chain approach and cluster development.
The 2025 Route to Market Strategy outlines an ambitious vision to enhance Kenya’s export competitiveness by streamlining access to markets, leveraging data and digital platforms, and empowering local producers with the tools to scale. It places a strong emphasis on inclusive policies that ensure equitable participation across the value chain.