MSEA and international nonprofit TechnoServe have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will see micro retailers across Kenya benefit from financial empowerment, advisory services, and capacity building.
The partnership will focus on promoting business growth, facilitating access to financing, formalizing micro-retailers through registration, developing capacity-building programs, and promoting market access.
MSEA Director General Mr. Henry Rithaa and TechnoServe Country Director Kris Ansin during the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) towards empowering micro retailers in Kenya
The occasion also doubled up as the launch of the National Duka-owners Umbrella Organization, a new national umbrella body registered with MSEA under the Registrar of MSEs that brings together duka owners from twelve regional associations.
This national umbrella body is poised to advocate for the interests of micro retailers, providing a vital platform for collaboration and addressing sector challenges.
Speaking on this partnership during the signing ceremony, MSEA Director General Mr. Henry Rithaa highlighted the crucial role micro-retailers play in shaping production and consumption patterns. Kenya’s retail sector, boasting an annual revenue of nearly $28 billion, sees a significant contribution of $19.6 billion from informal retail stores alone.
MSEA Director General Mr. Henry Rithaa making his remarks during the ceremony
These micro-retailers are pivotal in providing employment for 9.32 million Kenyans across over 600,000 stores, with 250,000 being permanent structures. Notably, the micro-retail sector experiences a steady 3% annual growth.
The Director General noted that this collaboration aims to ensure the National Duka-Owners Umbrella Organization aligns with government regulations, fostering a formalized and compliant micro-retail sector in Kenya.
MSEA Director General Mr. Henry Rithaa joined by Kris Ansin, Country Director TechnoServe Kenya, Adrian Ackeret Partner and the Chief Investment Officer of elea Foundation, Alice Waweru Regional Entrepreneurship Director at TechnoServe, Tabitha Manyeki Chairlady National Duka-Owners Umbrella Organization and Moderator Mark Maasai during the unveil of the National Duka-Owners Umbrella Organization
Kris Ansin, Country Director TechnoServe Kenya, said that this initiative is a culmination of the Smart Duka program, a collaborative effort of TechnoServe and the elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalization.
The program’s goal is to enhance micro-retailers’ efficiency, formality, and sustainability while strengthening partnerships between ecosystem actors and micro-retailers. This aligns with the government agenda, which prioritizes the holistic well-being of MSMEs; the bedrock of economic transformation in the country.
The event was graced by Oscar Artiga Global Deputy Director of Entrepreneurship TechnoServe Elsie Ngina, Program Manager Entrepreneurship, TechnoServe, Alice Waweru Regional Entrepreneurship Director at TechnoServe, Tabitha Manyeki Chairlady National Duka-Owners Umbrella Organization among other corporate and sector players.
MSEA AND TECHNOSERVE FORGE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP TOWARD EMPOWERING KENYA’S MICRO-RETAILERS
MSEA and international nonprofit TechnoServe have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will see micro retailers across Kenya benefit from financial empowerment, advisory services, and capacity building.
The partnership will focus on promoting business growth, facilitating access to financing, formalizing micro-retailers through registration, developing capacity-building programs, and promoting market access.
MSEA Director General Mr. Henry Rithaa and TechnoServe Country Director Kris Ansin during the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) towards empowering micro retailers in Kenya
The occasion also doubled up as the launch of the National Duka-owners Umbrella Organization, a new national umbrella body registered with MSEA under the Registrar of MSEs that brings together duka owners from twelve regional associations.
This national umbrella body is poised to advocate for the interests of micro retailers, providing a vital platform for collaboration and addressing sector challenges.
Speaking on this partnership during the signing ceremony, MSEA Director General Mr. Henry Rithaa highlighted the crucial role micro-retailers play in shaping production and consumption patterns. Kenya’s retail sector, boasting an annual revenue of nearly $28 billion, sees a significant contribution of $19.6 billion from informal retail stores alone.
MSEA Director General Mr. Henry Rithaa making his remarks during the ceremony
These micro-retailers are pivotal in providing employment for 9.32 million Kenyans across over 600,000 stores, with 250,000 being permanent structures. Notably, the micro-retail sector experiences a steady 3% annual growth.
The Director General noted that this collaboration aims to ensure the National Duka-Owners Umbrella Organization aligns with government regulations, fostering a formalized and compliant micro-retail sector in Kenya.
MSEA Director General Mr. Henry Rithaa joined by Kris Ansin, Country Director TechnoServe Kenya, Adrian Ackeret Partner and the Chief Investment Officer of elea Foundation, Alice Waweru Regional Entrepreneurship Director at TechnoServe, Tabitha Manyeki Chairlady National Duka-Owners Umbrella Organization and Moderator Mark Maasai during the unveil of the National Duka-Owners Umbrella Organization
Kris Ansin, Country Director TechnoServe Kenya, said that this initiative is a culmination of the Smart Duka program, a collaborative effort of TechnoServe and the elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalization.
The program’s goal is to enhance micro-retailers’ efficiency, formality, and sustainability while strengthening partnerships between ecosystem actors and micro-retailers. This aligns with the government agenda, which prioritizes the holistic well-being of MSMEs; the bedrock of economic transformation in the country.
The event was graced by Oscar Artiga Global Deputy Director of Entrepreneurship TechnoServe Elsie Ngina, Program Manager Entrepreneurship, TechnoServe, Alice Waweru Regional Entrepreneurship Director at TechnoServe, Tabitha Manyeki Chairlady National Duka-Owners Umbrella Organization among other corporate and sector players.
Picture speak from the event.
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