Kenya’s Principal Secretary for the State Department for MSMEs Development, Susan Mang’eni, has called on small and medium enterprises to seize the untapped economic potential in the Horn of Africa region, urging regional governments and financial institutions to prioritise economic diplomacy and intra-African trade.
Speaking at the Global Somali Entrepreneurial Forum 2025 held in Nairobi on July 19 and 20, Mang’eni underscored the critical role of structured cooperation in unlocking shared prosperity across borders.
Addressing delegates from across the region, Mang’eni stated that Kenya and its neighbours must act decisively to deepen trade ties and capitalise on shared opportunities.
“The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) protocol for youth and women in trade is an example of such an underutilised opportunity due to a lack of trade financing, disjointed payment systems, and inadequate infrastructure,” she said.
The Global Somali Entrepreneurial Forum, attended by key government officials, diplomats, entrepreneurs, and development partners, was designed to promote collaboration in business and investment between countries in the Horn of Africa.
Read More
Mang’eni emphasized that by embracing economic diplomacy and structured investment vehicles, countries can overcome long-standing challenges and unlock scalable growth for MSMEs.
Highlighting the critical role of finance, Mang’eni urged financial institutions to step up and offer more tailored solutions for intra-African trade, particularly for women and youth-owned businesses.
According to her, the government is working actively to create a more conducive environment for businesses of all sizes.,
“The government remains committed to building an enabling environment where enterprises of all sizes can grow, supported by reforms to enhance ease of doing business, improve access to finance, and attract meaningful investment,” she noted
She further noted that regional cooperation provides a unique opportunity to align efforts in addressing shared challenges, such as market fragmentation, limited infrastructure, and underinvestment, while jointly pursuing innovation and job creation.
The push for regional trade is also seen as a way to direct diaspora remittances into structured long-term investments through transparent vehicles such as SME funds, co-investment platforms, and innovation hubs.
“The forum’s vision is one of interconnected prosperity,” Mang’eni stated, “and we must embrace that spirit by removing the practical barriers that have held back growth across the region.”
Other notable leaders present at the forum included Cabinet Secretary for Health CS Aden Duale, Ambassador Philip Thigo, Kenya’s Special Envoy on Technology, and Jibril Ibrahim Abdulle, the Ambassador of Somalia to Kenya.
