African securities exchanges have been urged to work more closely with micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to improve their access to long-term financing and prepare them for investment opportunities in capital markets.
Principal Secretary for the State Department for MSMEs Development Susan Auma Mang’eni said stronger collaboration between capital market institutions, governments and business organisations was necessary to help enterprises overcome financing barriers, expand operations and compete in regional and international markets.
Speaking during the opening of the Africa Commerce & Industry Summit (ACIS) 2026 at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, Mang’eni challenged securities exchanges to expand their role beyond facilitating company listings by helping MSMEs strengthen corporate governance, adopt innovation and improve productivity.
She said preparing small businesses to meet capital market requirements could provide alternative sources of sustainable financing, enabling them to scale up operations and create employment opportunities.
Access to affordable financing remains a major challenge for MSMEs across Africa, despite their contribution to livelihoods and economic activity, particularly among young people and women.
Mang’eni said securities exchanges and other capital market institutions could help address this gap by supporting enterprises to become investment-ready and access funding mechanisms beyond traditional financing options.
The Principal Secretary also called on the summit organisers to give priority to youth- and women-led enterprises during the three-day event, highlighting the sector’s potential to address Kenya’s employment challenges.
She noted that Kenya faces an annual demand for approximately 1.2 million jobs, with MSMEs expected to account for at least 70 per cent of the opportunities.
The remarks place enterprise financing and business readiness at the centre of discussions on how African economies can strengthen private-sector growth while expanding employment opportunities.
The summit, hosted by the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), also comes as the organisation marks its 60th anniversary.
Mang’eni reaffirmed the State Department’s commitment to working with KNCCI to strengthen enterprise capacity, improve market access and enhance the competitiveness of Kenyan businesses.
She said sustained partnerships between governments, business membership organisations and capital market institutions would be essential in transforming MSMEs into productive, investment-ready enterprises capable of supporting inclusive economic growth.
The push to expand access to growth capital reflects the broader challenge of ensuring that smaller businesses can secure the resources needed to grow, create decent jobs and participate more effectively in global commerce.
