The program equipped trainers with practical knowledge and skills in key areas of today’s business environment, enabling them to transfer these competencies to women and youth entrepreneurs across Kenya.

“This project demonstrates the power of collaboration in transforming our entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Dr. Erick Rutto, KNCCI President. “By investing in trainers, we are investing in the future of women and youth who are essential to Kenya’s economic resilience and growth.”

The sessions, held throughout October 2025, covered: Digital Marketing, E-commerce, International Partner Search and Export Planning.

The Training for Trainers program was aimed to strengthen the capacity of professionals who will mentor and empower women and youth-led enterprises. The sessions focused on enhancing competitiveness, improving
market access, and promoting sustainable enterprise growth through practical skills in digital marketing, e-commerce, partner search, and export planning.

The project highlighted the importance of international partnerships in supporting local enterprise development.
By training trainers first, the project ensured a multiplier effect—knowledge and skills gained will be cascaded to
hundreds of women and youth entrepreneurs across counties in Kenya.

“This initiative strengthens our mission of bridging skills gaps and creating inclusive opportunities for all,” noted Mr. KK Mutai, KNCCI Chief Executive Officer. “The impact will be felt across communities as more women and young entrepreneurs embrace digital tools, global markets, and competitive business practices.”

This initiative reaffirms KNCCI’s commitment to fostering inclusive growth by equipping underrepresented groups
with tools to thrive in a modern, digital-driven economy.

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Funded by the Lithuanian Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Fund, this inaugural cohort surpassed its initial target six-fold, equipping participants with world-class skills in digital marketing, e-commerce, export readiness, and global networking through eight high-impact virtual training sessions.

The training content was developed in response to insights from KNCCI’s 2024 National SME Survey, where over 700 enterprises identified critical needs in online visibility, cross-border trade, international market access, and global partnership development.

Participants gained practical skills to help them thrive in today’s competitive business environment:

• Digital Marketing – Strategies to boost online visibility using SEO, Google Ads, social media, and email marketing.
• E-Commerce Transformation – Tools for cross-border trade, process automation, AR/VR integration, and data-driven advertising.
• International Business Development – Market intelligence, trade compliance, and leveraging frameworks like AfCFTA and AGOA.
• International Partner Search – Methods to identify credible global partners, build trust, and enhance professional branding.

A key element of the programme was the Train-the-Trainer (ToT) approach, now active across all 47 KNCCI chapters, ensuring long-term skills transfer at the grassroots level. Graduates will also continue to benefit from the Chamber Business Academy through mentorship, advanced resources, and trade facilitation services.

Twenty high-potential SMEs from the cohort will receive personalized coaching from industry experts to accelerate their international growth.

“The Chamber has grown over the past three years from being a mere trade support institution, which inspired us to start the Chamber Business Academy. Our goal is to continuously equip Kenyan SMEs—especially women and youth—with the tools, skills, and networks they need to thrive not just locally, but also regionally and globally. This programme is part of our commitment to fostering sustainable transformation for our members and the wider business community,” said KNCCI President Dr. Erick Rutto.

He noted that the training stems from the recognition that Kenya’s trade deficit—with imports currently standing at approximately KES 1.7 trillion—can be significantly reduced by producing locally. According to Chamber research, local companies have the capacity to produce goods worth up to KES 1 trillion that are currently imported. Dr. Rutto emphasized that the skills program will equip KNCCI members to tap into this opportunity and position themselves as exporters to international markets.

“This programme reflects KNCCI’s commitment to delivering practical, high-impact solutions for our SMEs. By equipping women and youth entrepreneurs with competitive skills, we are not only enhancing their capacity to thrive locally but also positioning them to seize opportunities in regional and global markets.” – KK Mutai, Acting Chief Executive Officer, KNCCI

Voices from the Graduates

• Faith Muchiri (Digital Marketing): “The things ive learnt in this training I wish I had that information before commencing with my export business. I can now identify international markets and partners better and reduce losses from non-payment.”
• Serah Kangethe (International Partnership): “I have learnt that in business you need to have structures and as a founder I needed to stop running everything by myself. I learnt that while having a manager may seem like a cost initislly it is an investment that allowed me to venture out and look for more business.”

About KNCCI
For over six decades, the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been the leading voice of Kenyan business, representing over 15,000 members across all 47 counties and driving Kenya’s engagement in regional and global trade.

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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:

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