Nairobi County, KNCCI partner to cut cost of doing business

The partnership, announced on Friday, will target micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), artisans and manufacturers by seeking to streamline licensing and compliance processes while improving access to capital and markets.

The initiative will be implemented under the “Jenga Biz, Jenga Nairobi; Partnering for a Thriving Nairobi Economy” programme, which brings the county government and private sector together to develop practical interventions aimed at supporting businesses.

A key component is the Trade Fair Digital Portal, which enables businesses to register as exhibitors, select sponsorship packages and access logistics information online.

The platform is expected to simplify participation in county trade activities and provide businesses with greater access to investors, buyers and credit providers.

Speaking during the launch, Dr Anastasia Nyalita said the county was changing its approach to business from regulation to facilitation.

“The Nairobi City County Government is shifting from being just a regulator to an active enabler of economic enterprise.”

She said the county was working to reduce compliance requirements, streamline licensing and create a predictable operating environment for businesses.

The county government and KNCCI are also finalising a binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will establish a framework for tracking progress on ease-of-doing-business reforms, policy changes and market expansion.

KNCCI Programs Director Dr Maxwell Okoth said the partnership would shift government-private sector engagement from consultations to implementation.

He said structured policy roundtables would focus on reducing compliance costs and improving predictability for businesses, while the planned business forum and trade fair would link MSMEs, manufacturers and artisans with institutional investors, regional buyers and credit providers.

The September 17 Business Breakfast Forum will precede the main trade fair and is expected to focus on strengthening supply-chain linkages and improving access to finance for businesses.

The partnership comes as Nairobi seeks to strengthen support for small businesses and create a more predictable environment for enterprises to operate and expand.