Partners, MSMEs and Innovators pose for a photo in Konza Technopolis after completing an intensive two days MSME–Innovator Connect Forum aimed to nurture the growth of MSMES in Kenya through innovative, technology-led collaboration.
By Admin
KONZA TECHNOPOLIS, KENYA – January 29, 2026 — Konza Technopolis has concluded a two-day MSME–Innovator Connect Forum aimed to nurture the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMES) in Kenya through innovative, technology-led collaboration.
In Kenya, MSMEs contribute over 33 per cent of the country’s GDP and support the livelihoods of more than 15 million people. Despite their importance, the MSME sector faces various challenges which can be resolved through embracing technology, strengthening value chain integration and access to more markets.
To support this sector, Konza Technopolis brought together 50 MSMEs and 50 local technology innovators to jointly identify operational bottlenecks and co-develop solutions that can be applied directly within businesses. The focus was on manufacturing, agribusiness and information and communication technology, sectors considered critical to Kenya’s industrial growth.
The forum was held in partnership with the; Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), the MasterCard Foundation, Red Bull, Youth Enterprise Development Fund and the UNDP Timbuktoo Africa initiative, reflecting joint effort across public, private and development sectors to support the sustainability of MSMEs.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Konza Technopolis Chief Executive Officer John Paul Okwiri said the initiative was designed to expose MSMEs to innovative solutions.
“Many Kenyan innovators are developing solutions that never reach the businesses that need them most,” he said. “By directly connecting MSME owners with innovators, we are supporting solutions that respond to real operational needs and reduce the risk of business failure.”
Unlike traditional innovation events, the programme followed a problem-solution fit approach, embedding innovators alongside MSME owners to understand daily operational challenges before developing prototypes.
Dr. Mercy Mutahi, an innovator who participated in the forum, said collaboration among innovators is critical to developing solutions that can survive in real business environments. She noted that many challenges faced by MSMEs are too complex for individual innovators to solve alone.
“When innovators work in silos, even good ideas struggle to scale,” Mutahi said. “This forum made it easier to collaborate, co-create and build solutions together. Having people to think with, test ideas with and challenge assumptions makes the solutions stronger and more practical for MSMEs.”
Participants also heard from Prof. Eng. P. Ndirangu Kioni, former Vice Chancellor of Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, who delivered a keynote address on the role of innovation-driven entrepreneurship in Kenya’s industrialisation. He urged young innovators to view MSME challenges as opportunities to apply technical skills to real economic problems.
The forum also marked the launch of the Konza MSME Incubation Programme, a structured three-month initiative that will support the most viable solutions developed during the forum. The programme will offer weekly coaching sessions, access to Konza’s resources for prototyping and testing, mentorship on intellectual property and commercialisation, and ongoing monitoring to assess impact within partner MSMEs.
Through partnerships with the UNDP Timbuktoo Green Tech Hub and the MasterCard Foundation, the programme aims to position locally developed solutions for regional and continental markets under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.
Konza Technopolis CEO, John Paul Okwiri awarding a certificate of participation to an innovator during the MSME-Innovator Connect Forum at Konza Technopolis
According to partners at the forum, strengthening MSMEs has a direct impact on employment, income stability and economic resilience. By supporting businesses beyond their start-up phase, the initiative seeks to improve long-term survival and contribution to the economy.
The MSME-Innovator Forum reflects a growing shift from short-term interventions to sustained, collaborative support for small businesses, positioning technology and partnerships as key tools in enhancing the success of MSMEs in Kenya.
