Roy Nyangena, Acting Head of Research, Manufacturing and Industrialization Policy at the State Department for Industry; Sameer Goyal, KIEP Task Team Leader and World Bank Group Representative; and Carol Kungu, Deputy Director of Industries, SME Linkages, during the closure event of Kenya Industry and Entrepreneurship Project (KIEP) 250+, at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies.The Kenya Industry and Entrepreneurship Project (KIEP) 250+ officially concluded Tuesday with a landmark event at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies.
The event celebrated one of the nation’s most impactful initiatives aimed at strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Funded by the World Bank and implemented by the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, KIEP 250+ has supported over 250 high-potential Kenyan SMEs through performance-based grants designed to boost innovation, productivity, and market access.
The project was managed in partnership with NIRAS and Intellecap.
In a keynote address delivered on behalf of Industry Principal Secretary Dr. Juma Mukhwana, Roy Nyangena, Acting Head of Research, Manufacturing and Industrialisation Policy at the State Department for Industry, praised the initiative for transforming the country’s SME landscape.
“Today, we celebrate the tremendous achievements of over 250 Kenyan SMEs that have gone through a transformative journey under KIEP 250+,” Nyangena said. “This initiative has significantly strengthened their productivity and innovation capabilities.”
Launched during the COVID-19 pandemic in August 2020, KIEP 250+ enrolled three cohorts of SMEs, starting in November 2020, August 2023, and November 2023.
Despite challenges such as economic disruptions and implementation delays, the project achieved notable success.
Of 150 SMEs initially targeted, 142 signed performance contracts totaling more than Sh800 million.
By May 2025, 112 had successfully implemented their growth plans and received reimbursements exceeding Sh500 million.
Outcomes included increased automation, expanded production, new market entry, job creation, and the launch of innovative products.
Nyangena also highlighted broader government efforts to support industrialisation, such as County Aggregation and Industrial Parks, green manufacturing, and agro-processing.
He emphasised the importance of sustainability and encouraged SMEs to adopt circular economy practices.
“As we celebrate this progress, we must also champion sustainability. Our firms must continue to adopt circular economy practices and remain conscious of their carbon impact,” he stated.
The event brought together senior government officials, development partners, CEOs of beneficiary firms, and implementing agencies to reflect on the programme’s impact and look ahead to continued collaboration in advancing Kenya’s industrial transformation.
