KNCCI-Nairobi, Bizna Kenya Partner in SME Awards

KNCCI-Nairobi and Bizna Kenya partnered in this year’s SME Awards that recognized outstanding small enterprises in different categories.

The partnership culminated into an awards gala held at Laico Regency on May 24, 2019. The event was attended by Outgoing Nairobi Chamber Chairman Mr. Richard Ngatia, who was the Chief Guest, together with Vice Chairman Mr. Geoffrey Kimani, KNCCI CEO Mr. George Kiondo and a host of KNCCI directors.

Speaking during the event, Mr. Richard Ngatia underscored the problems facing the SME sector in Kenya today – including access to affordable finance.

He asked SMEs to embrace sound financial management practices as a way of ensuring their businesses remain sustainable.

“It is one thing to get finance, it is another thing to sustain a business,”said Ngatia.

In its inaugural year, the Bizna SME Awards attracted hundreds of applications from SMEs across the country.

“Next year we want to make to make the awards bigger by going regionally and eventually internationally,” said Bizna Kenya CEO Tonnie Mello.

The awards recognized SMEs nominated in Real Estate, Agribusiness, Professional Service, Creative Economy, Most Promising SME, as well as the Best SME.

The Best SME award was won by Expeditions Maasai Safaris, a tour and travel company in Nairobi that offers solutions to both individuals and companies.

ADEC Kenya which is a member of KNCCI-Nairobi emerged second in the Professional Service category.

Other partners in the awards were: Faulu Microfinance, Tuko News, mobile loan provider Zenka and Jijenge Credit Ltd, which is also a member of KNCCI-Nairobi.