The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), in partnership with the Vilnius Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts (VCCIC) and supported by the Lithuanian Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Fund, has successfully implemented the Skills 4 Women & Youth in Kenya program—empowering 478 women- and youth-led SMEs across Kenya. This marks a major step in expanding Kenyan businesses beyond borders, surpassing the original participation goal by over six times.

Tailored Training to Drive Global Competitiveness
The initiative was informed by insights from a 2024 national SME survey involving over 700 respondents. It addressed key areas including digital marketing, e-commerce, export preparedness, and international networking through eight dynamic virtual sessions:

  •  Digital Marketing: Boosting online presence via SEO, Google Ads, email campaigns, and social media.
  • E-Commerce: Training on cross-border sales, automation, AR/VR engagement tools, and analytics.
  • Export Readiness: Guiding SMEs on AfCFTA, AGOA compliance, and trade strategy.
  • Global Partner Search: Enhancing global outreach, branding, and trust-building.

Nationwide Impact and Long-Term Support
KNCCI’s Train-the-Trainer model ensures this knowledge reaches the grassroots through all 47 chapters. The KNCCI Academy now serves as a continuous resource hub for mentorship, skills training, and market linkage.

What’s Next

  • Certificates: All 478 participants will be formally recognized.
  • Mentorship: 20 standout SMEs will receive targeted coaching to scale globally.
  • Ongoing Growth: Continued training and trade support through the KNCCI Academy.

“Our goal was to equip them with practical, scalable tools—and the overwhelming engagement shows the hunger for growth among Kenya’s entrepreneurs. Through our collaboration with VCCIC and the Lithuanian Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Fund, and the support from KNCCI’s 47 chapters, we’ve built a model that will continue to empower businesses at the grassroots level. This is just the beginning of a long-term journey to expand Kenyan enterprises beyond borders,”  Ken Mwenda, Lead Coordinator – Skills 4 Women & Youth in Kenya Program: