Safaricom has announced the second series of its ‘Grow with Safaricom Business’ engagement platform, aimed at equipping entrepreneurs with essential skills to effectively run their businesses. Themed “Building a Strong Brand in the Digital Era,” this series targets 100 Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs).
At the forum, which took place under the theme “Building a Strong Brand in the Digital Era,” entrepreneurs were empowered in four key areas: providing exceptional customer experience, improving operational efficiency, staying ahead of trends through innovation, and strategizing for business growth.
The Kenya Institute of Public Policy Research and Analysis estimates that there are over 7.4 million SMEs in Kenya, employing approximately 14.9 million Kenyans across various sectors of the economy.
“SMEs play a critical role in our economy. With the advent of the internet and digital technologies, the playing field has been leveled, allowing businesses of all sizes to compete in the global market. By providing MSEs with the information necessary to embrace this opportunity, we hope to empower them through the Grow with Safaricom Business series to take their businesses to the next level,” said Cynthia Karuri-Kropac, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at Safaricom.
During the forum, MSEs had the opportunity to exchange ideas, build relationships, and gain valuable insights on how to stay competitive in an advancing digital world.
The first series of the forum, held in March this year, saw participation from 50 MSEs. Safaricom plans to conduct 12 such forums throughout the financial year, addressing challenges faced by entrepreneurs, such as lack of access to markets, regulatory barriers, competition, a lack of online marketing skills, and difficulties in creating a strong brand presence.