PS Mang’eni Urges African Stock Exchanges to Open Up Capital for MSMEs

By: Jim Mwanda

In Summarry

• Principal Secretary Susan Auma Mang’eni urged African stock exchanges to work with MSMEs to improve access to long-term financing, strengthen governance and support business growth.

• She highlighted MSMEs’ role in creating jobs, especially for youth and women, and called for stronger government, private-sector and KNCCI collaboration to expand market access and boost competitiveness.

Principal Secretary for MSMEs Development Susan Auma Mang’eni has called on African securities exchanges to work more closely with small businesses to improve access to long-term financing and support enterprise growth across the continent.

Speaking today, during the opening of the Africa Commerce & Industry Summit (ACIS) 2026 at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, Mang’eni said stronger partnerships between governments and the private sector were necessary to build competitive and inclusive economies.

She noted that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play a critical role in creating jobs and providing livelihoods, particularly for young people and women. However, limited access to affordable financing continues to hinder their growth and ability to compete in regional and international markets.

Mang’eni challenged securities exchanges to go beyond listing companies and help MSMEs strengthen corporate governance, improve productivity and adopt innovation to meet capital market requirements.

She said preparing businesses to access stock exchanges and other capital market financing options would give them opportunities to expand, create jobs and achieve sustainable growth.

The PS also urged organisers of the three-day summit to prioritise youth- and women-led enterprises, noting that MSMEs would be key to addressing Kenya’s annual demand for approximately 1.2 million jobs.

According to Mang’eni, the sector is expected to account for at least 70 per cent of these employment opportunities, highlighting the need to create an environment in which small businesses can grow and thrive.

She further reaffirmed the State Department’s commitment to working with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), which is marking its 60th anniversary, to strengthen business capacity, expand market access and improve the competitiveness of Kenyan enterprises.

Mang’eni said sustained collaboration between the government, business membership organisations and capital market institutions would be essential in transforming MSMEs into investment-ready enterprises capable of driving inclusive economic growth and strengthening Africa’s position in global trade.