During the meeting, both teams explored multiple areas of synergy. KNCCI pledged to leverage its wide membership base—spanning county chapters, large corporates, and SMEs—to support Rubis in marketing its products and services to enterprises nationwide. The discussions also covered potential collaboration in sustainability initiatives, supply chain development, awareness campaigns, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes.

The delegation further examined strategies to improve Rubis’ engagement with women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in enterprise, in line with KNCCI’s commitment to inclusive economic development.

Rubis Energy Kenya Managing Director Mr. Oliviere Sabrie highlighted the company’s newest innovations across its 305 service stations, including:

• Full automation of service stations

• Real-time fuel card monitoring for employers

• RFID-enabled systems that prevent fuel theft by communicating directly with POS terminals

• Virtual fuel cards accessible through smart devices

• Biodiesel solutions supporting greener energy adoption

To move the partnership forward, KNCCI and Rubis agreed to establish a joint working group that will design and implement programmes targeting SMEs, county-based enterprises, and special interest groups in the coming days.

KNCCI looks forward to a transformative collaboration that advances innovation, sustainability, and business growth across Kenya.

The post KNCCI Leadership Visits Patron Member Rubis Energy Kenya to Strengthen Collaboration appeared first on KNCCI.

The event brought together stakeholders from government agencies, development partners, financial institutions, and the private sector to strengthen collaboration in supporting women-led small and medium enterprises (WSMEs). The SHE GROWS Programme, a strategic initiative, seeks to unlock the growth potential of women-owned businesses by addressing barriers such as limited access to finance, underdeveloped support systems, and gender-based biases.

In his keynote address, KNCCI President Dr. Erick Rutto emphasized that when women grow, the nation flourishes. He highlighted KNCCI’s ongoing efforts through the Women in Business (WIB) Committee, established in 2016, to empower, connect, and champion women entrepreneurs across all 47 counties.

“Our vision is simple has the tools, networks, and opportunities to grow her business and transform her community,” Dr. Rutto said. “If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together.”

Dr. Rutto outlined findings from the KNCCI 2025 Business Barometer, noting that women own 40% of Kenyan businesses but continue to face challenges such as limited access to capital, gender bias, and low participation in public procurement despite policy provisions. He detailed KNCCI’s interventions through initiatives like the Chamber Business Academy, the Isoko Platform, and the AGPO Strengthening Project, all designed to boost women’s competitiveness and inclusion in trade and investment.

KNCCI Advisor on Women in Business, Ms. Nancy Muthoni, also participated actively in the programme — both in the opening session and as a panelist in the discussion on Strengthening the Women-Led SME Ecosystem. She emphasized the importance of building supportive networks and ensuring that women entrepreneurs are integrated into regional and global supply chains.

The event featured sessions on finance, investment readiness, and market access, with partners such as the     and the EU Delegation sharing insights and partnership opportunities.

The roundtable concluded with a commitment ceremony co-led by Dr. Erick Rutto and IFC’s Marieme Niang, where stakeholders pledged to support the implementation of the SHE GROWS programme.

KNCCI pledged its commitment to championing inclusive growth, advocating for gender-responsive policies, and fostering partnerships that ensure women-owned businesses are not just participants but drivers of Kenya’s economic transformation.

The post KNCCI Champions Women’s Economic Empowerment at the SHE GROWS Stakeholder Roundtable & Launch appeared first on KNCCI.

Learn. Launch. Lead.
Build the Skills for Global Business Success
Join our virtual training series designed for youth and women in Kenya.
Gain practical skills in:-

International business development

This training explores key elements of export planning an requirements, including export readiness evaluation, export planning steps and strategies, and relevant links and references. Training will cover the ways of identifying the most appropriate foreign markets for your product/services, analysis of foreign market information/trends, and relevant trade requirements, most popular tools to be used, etc.

May 27 – international business development –Click to Register

Next Upcoming Training

May 6 -International Business Development: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YIzUn1efQHiBiEjtRV-7kw

————

May 8 – E-commerce – https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fOkQDz1lShuTWwKf6-N9Fg

———-

May 20 – International partner search – https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fOkQDz1lShuTWwKf6-N9Fg

———-

May 22- Digital Marketing -https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NoMEWA6OSwS3o6NZKAaWcQ

————

May 27 – international business development -https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YIzUn1efQHiBiEjtRV-7kw

———-

May 29 – E-commerce – https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fOkQDz1lShuTWwKf6-N9Fg

———-

June 3 – International Partner Search – https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fOkQDz1lShuTWwKf6-N9Fg

The post Skills Development 4 Youth and Women virtual Training Sessions appeared first on KNCCI.

Click to Register

Next Upcoming Training

May 6 -International Business Development: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YIzUn1efQHiBiEjtRV-7kw

————

May 8 – E-commerce – https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fOkQDz1lShuTWwKf6-N9Fg

———-

May 20 – International partner search – https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fOkQDz1lShuTWwKf6-N9Fg

———-

May 22- Digital Marketing -https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NoMEWA6OSwS3o6NZKAaWcQ

————

May 27 – international business development -https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YIzUn1efQHiBiEjtRV-7kw

———-

May 29 – E-commerce – https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fOkQDz1lShuTWwKf6-N9Fg

———-

June 3 – International Partner Search – https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fOkQDz1lShuTWwKf6-N9Fg

The post Skills Development 4 Youth and Women virtual Training Sessions-Digital Marketing appeared first on KNCCI.

In the meeting, KNCCI President Dr. Erick Rutto reaffirmed the Chamber’s mission to promote and protect the commercial and industrial interests of Kenyan businesses. He emphasized that the government remains a natural and strategic partner in achieving this mission, especially in advancing inclusive economic growth and enterprise development.

“Any partnership with government is a shared opportunity to unlock value and deliver on our mandates,” said Dr. Rutto. He further called for urgent attention to pressing issues facing the business community, notably high and multiple taxes, mounting pending bills, and persistent youth unemployment.

On his part, Mr. Jaoko outlined a series of ongoing policy reforms and development programmes spearheaded by the Office of the President to foster a more inclusive and competitive business environment. He reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs), particularly those owned by youth, women, persons with disabilities, and those in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs).

Mr. Jaoko noted that KNCCI’s national reach through its 47 county chapters positions it as an ideal partner for grassroots-level implementation, advisory, and education related to these programmes. He underscored the importance of pro-investment policies in uplifting the informal and formal sectors alike and welcomed KNCCI’s engagement in co-creating solutions that benefit the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Both parties agreed to formalize the partnership and pledged to maintain continuous collaboration. This engagement builds on the recent commitment made by the President of the Republic of Kenya during a State House meeting in April 2025, where it was announced that quarterly roundtable meetings would be held with KNCCI to ensure consistent dialogue and policy alignment.

As Kenya charts a course toward economic inclusivity and empowerment, this partnership signals a renewed commitment to harnessing public-private collaboration as a catalyst for national development.

The post KNCCI Strengthens Ties with Government on Economic Empowerment and Private Sector Collaboration appeared first on KNCCI.

During the meeting, Vice President Mustafa welcomed the delegation and highlighted Kenya’s robust investment climate. He emphasized the country’s investor-friendly policies, including special incentives for businesses setting up in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Export Processing Zones (EPZs). These zones, established by the Kenyan government, offer Tunisian companies a strategic entry point into East and Central African markets — a region with a combined population of over 500 million.

The Tunisian delegation is currently in Kenya to participate in the Tunisian Food & Handicrafts Expo 2025, taking place in Nairobi from 16–18 June 2025. The event is organized under the auspices of the International Labour Organization’s JEUN’ESS project, in partnership with CNFCE and the COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB).

The expo is a vibrant platform showcasing Tunisia’s rich culinary and artisanal heritage, while fostering trade, cultural exchange, and business partnerships between Tunisian and East African enterprises. Of particular importance is the event’s focus on empowering women entrepreneurs and strengthening commercial ties across the African continent.

KNCCI applauds the initiative and reiterates its commitment to supporting bilateral trade, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic development.

The post Chamber Vice President Hosts Tunisian Delegation Attending the Tunisian Food & Handicrafts Expo 2025 appeared first on KNCCI.

Dr. Rutto identified three key barriers confronting MSMEs in Kenya:

1. Access to Capital
Access to finance remains the most persistent challenge. According to insights presented during the dialogue, only 26.3% of women-led MSMEs in Kenya are able to access formal financial services. Dr. Rutto emphasized that most MSMEs—especially youth- and women-owned businesses operate informally and are thus excluded from mainstream financial services due to lack of registration, proper documentation, and collateral. The product mismatch in loan structures such as high interest rates and inflexible repayment terms further disincentivizes borrowing and growth.

“We must rethink how our financial systems define risk and value, especially for small and youth-led enterprises. Collateral and cash flow should not be the sole indicators of creditworthiness,” noted Dr. Rutto.

2. Specialist Training for MSMEs
Dr. Rutto stressed the importance of targeted training to bridge the financial literacy gap. While the event underscored the role of financial education in enabling access to finance, it also revealed that many young women entrepreneurs lack access to practical, localized training tools that align with their business realities.

Participants of the event called for financial literacy initiatives that:

Use local languages,

Provide simplified loan navigation,

Address the dynamics of caregiving and informal work,

Move beyond knowledge to unlock real financing opportunities.

3. Market Access
Beyond capital and skills, market access was highlighted by Dr. Rutto as a major hurdle. Many young women-run MSMEs remain disconnected from scalable markets due to limited visibility, infrastructural gaps, and weak support ecosystems. This lack of access is even more pronounced in rural areas, where young women are disproportionately excluded from financial and economic participation due to poor infrastructure, seasonal cash flows, and limited outreach from formal institutions.

“For our MSMEs to thrive, we need holistic strategies that connect them not only to finance, but to reliable markets both domestic and international,” Dr. Rutto added.

A Call for Inclusive Solutions
Dr. Rutto concluded by affirming KNCCI’s commitment to working with stakeholders including financial institutions, development partners, and government agencies to co-create inclusive financial products, advocate for reduced compliance barriers, and promote the use of alternative credit assessment tools that value informal but viable enterprises.

The event also emphasized the intersectional barriers faced by vulnerable groups such as young women with disabilities, refugee entrepreneurs, and those from faith groups needing Sharia-compliant financial products—all areas requiring urgent attention for truly inclusive development.

About the Dialogue
The event brought together over 50 young women entrepreneurs, policymakers, and financial sector actors to discuss actionable solutions for improving access to dignified work and finance for young women in Kenya.

The post KNCCI Addresses Critical Barriers for MSMEs During the ‘Unlocking Finance for Young Women Entrepreneurs’ Dialogue appeared first on KNCCI.

The post KNCCI and Next Step Foundation Forge Strategic Partnership to Drive Inclusive Economic Growth appeared first on KNCCI.

Digital Marketing

A Digital Marketing topic explores key strategies to enhance online presence and drive sales. It covers requirements for websites as a powerful sales and marketing tool. The lectures cover organic and paid traffic, emphasizing the role of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) in improving search rankings. Additionally, it provides insights into Google My Business, Google Ads, Social Media Marketing (SMM), Email, and Influencer Marketing, helping businesses expand their reach and connect with the right audience effectively.

Cick Here to Register

Next Upcoming Training

May 6 -International Business Development: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YIzUn1efQHiBiEjtRV-7kw

————

May 8 – E-commerce – https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fOkQDz1lShuTWwKf6-N9Fg

———-

May 20 – International partner search – https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fOkQDz1lShuTWwKf6-N9Fg

———-

May 22- Digital Marketing -https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NoMEWA6OSwS3o6NZKAaWcQ

————

May 27 – international business development -https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YIzUn1efQHiBiEjtRV-7kw

———-

May 29 – E-commerce – https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fOkQDz1lShuTWwKf6-N9Fg

———-

June 3 – International Partner Search – https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fOkQDz1lShuTWwKf6-N9Fg

The post Skills Development 4 Youth and Women virtual Training Sessions appeared first on KNCCI.

Learn. Launch. Lead.
Build the Skills for Global Business Success
Join our virtual training series designed for youth and women in Kenya.
Gain practical skills in:-

International business development

This training explores key elements of export planning an requirements, including export readiness evaluation, export planning steps and strategies, and relevant links and references. Training will cover the ways of identifying the most appropriate foreign markets for your product/services, analysis of foreign market information/trends, and relevant trade requirements, most popular tools to be used, etc.

May 27 – international business development –Click to Register

Next Upcoming Training

May 6 -International Business Development: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YIzUn1efQHiBiEjtRV-7kw

————

May 8 – E-commerce – https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fOkQDz1lShuTWwKf6-N9Fg

———-

May 20 – International partner search – https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fOkQDz1lShuTWwKf6-N9Fg

———-

May 22- Digital Marketing -https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NoMEWA6OSwS3o6NZKAaWcQ

————

May 27 – international business development -https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YIzUn1efQHiBiEjtRV-7kw

———-

May 29 – E-commerce – https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fOkQDz1lShuTWwKf6-N9Fg

———-

June 3 – International Partner Search – https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fOkQDz1lShuTWwKf6-N9Fg

The post Skills Development 4 Youth and Women virtual Training Sessions appeared first on KNCCI.