Kenya’s Approach to Bridging the MSME Financing Gap

Kenya is taking bold steps to close the “missing middle” in MSME financing by supporting entrepreneurs with promising businesses who remain stuck between microfinance and traditional banking.

Speaking at the Financing for Development Dialogue at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA, Principal Secretary MSMEs Development highlighted Kenya’s innovative approach through fintech, digital public infrastructure, and smart policy reforms. MSMEs are the heartbeat of our economies, creating jobs, driving innovation, and sustaining communities. 

Kenya has demonstrated that this gap can be closed through bold policy, Digital Innovation, and inclusive financing.From the success of the Hustler Fund, which has expanded access to formal credit for millions, to credit guarantee systems that unlock private capital and reforms that connect fintech directly to supply chains, Kenya is building a practical model for empowering entrepreneurs.

"Financial Inclusion is about the mama mboga, the artisan, the start-up founder, and every small business with the potential to grow. It is about ensuring women, youth, and underserved enterprises are not left behind in the digital economy."

Kenya stands ready to work with all partners to turn the Sevilla Commitment from words into bankable projects and inclusive growth for the missing middle in all our countries. 

With the right partnerships, we can turn commitment into capital and capital into shared prosperity for the future belongs to empowered MSMEs.