The Micro and Small Enterprises Authority, joined national and international stakeholders at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) for the Africa Inclusive Finance Week (#SAM2025) from 13th to 17th November 2025, a week-long premier continental event dedicated to advancing inclusive finance and fostering sustainable growth within the MSME sector. The event, organized by ADA (Appui au Développement Autonome) with the support of the Government of Luxembourg, the Microfinance African Institutions Network (MAIN), and the Association of Microfinance Institutions of Kenya (AMFI–K), brought together policymakers, investors, microfinance institutions, fintech innovators, and development partners to exchange insights, innovations, and best practices in inclusive finance.
Madam Janet Kamotho, MSEA Nairobi Regional Head, and Persil Telewa, Senior Enterprise Development Officer, attend to stakeholders visiting the MSEA stand, among them the Deputy Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Mr. Xavier Bettel, during the Africa Inclusive Finance Week (#SAM2025).
Speaking during the official launch, the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, Hon. Dr. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya, lauded ADA, MAIN, and AMFI–K for selecting Kenya as the host nation. He emphasized that advancing digital finance and promoting inclusive growth align with Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which prioritizes equitable access to finance and enterprise development. The CS highlighted Kenya’s leadership in inclusive finance through innovations such as mobile money, digital credit, and agency banking, as well as government-led initiatives including the Financial Inclusion Fund (Hustler Fund) and the Affordable Housing Programme, which are empowering millions of Kenyans to participate meaningfully in the economy.
The Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, Hon. Dr. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya giving his remarks during the official launch of the Africa Inclusive Finance Week 2025.
Throughout the week, delegates participated in a series of insightful panel discussions featuring CEOs from leading Microfinance Institutions and SACCOs. The discussions explored key topics such as collaborating with startups and fintechs to reach underserved clients supported by the Luxembourg House of Financial Technology (LHoFT) mobilizing domestic resources, reshaping funding models for sustainability and independence, and balancing innovation with inclusivity. These conversations underscored the importance of collaboration between technology, policy, and human-centered service delivery to drive genuine financial inclusion.
Moments captured during the panel discussions.
The CS reaffirmed that Kenya remains open for business and that sustainable inclusion requires partnerships between the public and private sectors. He outlined four priority focus areas for the Ministry Financing, Market Access, Digital Transformation, and Green Financing all designed to strengthen the MSME ecosystem. Of particular significance is the upcoming East African Community (EAC) MSMEs Trade Fair, to be hosted in Kenya from 7th to 16th November 2025, which will provide a platform for MSMEs to showcase products, expand regional trade, and form cross-border linkages.
For Kenya’s MSME sector at large, SAM 2025 presented immense opportunities to learn, collaborate, and connect with partners driving inclusive finance across Africa. The event reaffirms Kenya’s position as a leader in MSME development and financial innovation, offering new pathways for MSMEs to access capital, digital tools, and sustainable markets.
“Let us invent boldly, regulate wisely, innovate inclusively, and collaborate purposefully,” the Cabinet Secretary concluded.
Pictorial Highlights from the launch.
