Project
Enhancing Kenyan SMEs’ innovation and productivity to spur inclusive growth
Together with the World Bank, the Kenyan Government has initiated a project to strengthen Kenya’s economy through the support and funding of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), where NIRAS will support increased productivity and innovation in these Kenyan SMEs.
February 12, 2021
- SDG: #1, #5, #8, #9
- SECTORS: Development Consulting
- COUNTRIES: Kenya
- CLIENT: World Bank & the Kenyan Government
In response to the obstacles faced by Kenyan SMEs, such as lack of access to finance, and to harvest the potential of the SMEs, the Kenyan Government and the World Bank have initiated the Kenya Industry and Entrepreneurship Project (KIEP). The project seeks to strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem, enhance innovation and productivity in select SMEs and facilitate productive linkages for startups and accelerators.
NIRAS and Intellecap are in charge of project component 2, dubbed KIEP 250+, concerning increased productivity and innovation in Kenyan SMEs by focusing on expanding managerial and technical skills, upgrading processes and technology, and promoting market linkages for at least 250 eligible SMEs through performance-based grant funding. The project’s priority sectors include manufacturing, healthcare, food security and affordable housing, while other sectors might be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Central to the approach is the use of a diagnostic tool and subsequent competitively awarded performance contracts to build the capacity of SMEs to offer better quality services or products and more soundly pursue their own company performance plans and operational objectives.
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