Richard Muteti hands the SME Handbook to His Excellency Mr. Wamkele Mene Secretary General – AfCFTA Secretariat:

 Richard Muteti CEO of the Confederation of Informal Sector Organizations East Africa and Jua Kali Sector Federation in kenya Hands the SME Handbook to His Excellency Mr. Wamkele Mene Secretary General – AfCFTA Secretariat on the sidelines of the Employers’ Annual Conference 2022.The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) seeks to create a single market for goods and services in order to deepen the economic integration of Africa.

Richard Muteti hands over tools of trade to young entrepreneurs in Makueni

Richard Muteti the Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali Associations Handing over tools of trade to at least 184 young entrepreneurs in Makueni County to start and grow their businesses in the Jua Kali/MSMEs sector under the "Ujuzi Teke Teke"(Skills on the go) Youth Empowerment Programme in Makueni County with H. E. Governor Kivutha Kibwana,. Ujuzi Teketeke is a 8-week youth life skills training initiative where learners are attached to established craftsmen for on-the-job training to equip young people with industrial skills.Those who successfully complete the training are issued start-up kits to start their own biz. The programme is supported by the National Industrial Training Authority & Kenya National Federation of Juakali Association. Areas of focus include:Catering, Barber and salon, Mechanics, Plumbing, Carpentry, Masonry, Photography & video production, Agribusiness, Tailoring &Welding. A Youth Empowerment Programme, targeting hundreds of young people in the informal sector                        

Richard Muteti honored in Kenya

Mr. Richard Muteti was honored by the National Jua Kali Sector leadership for his service to the Jua Kali sector in Kenya at a national leaders’ conference in Naivasha, November 2021

Mr. Muteti received the certificate of Honor for 15 years of outstanding leadership, valuable contribution and exemplary service and dedication to the growth, development and promotion of the Jua Kali/MSMEs Sector in Kenya for the period of 2005-2021

During this period, Muteti has been involved with the creation of the 4K MSE 2030 Initiative, a mass production initiative of dignified products by the Jua Kali sector, championed and advocated for the MSE Bill that was enacted into MSE Act 2012, that led to the establishment of the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority in Kenya, has championed the relationship between the technical and vocational Institutions and the Jua Kali artisans, conceptualized and produced the first series of the SME Handbook in Kenya and has been Managing the East African Community Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Trade Fairs for the six EAC Partner States since 2008 meant to open up the regional market to small businesses& integrate the EAC, and was elected as the Chairman of the COMESA Business Council SMEs Work-Group among other notable achievements  

HON. DR. PETER MATHUKI , EAC SG MEETS REGIONAL MSMEs SECTOR LEADERS

Richard Muteti CMSEO-EA and Jua Kali Sector CEO, leads a meeting between the East African Community Secretary General Hon. Dr. Peter Mathuki and EAC regional representatives of the Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) Sector in a high level meeting led by the Confederation of Micro and Small Enterprises Organization East Africa (CMSEO-EA).

A number of issues were deliberated on, including enhancing support for the Annual EAC MSMEs Trade Fair that brings together thousands of MSEs to open up market frontiers, promote cross border trade, closing the gaps in trade and promotes dialogue between regional small businesses among others. The participants agreed to work together to create a mechanism and instruments that addresses a regional MSMEs policy, access to affordable credit, strengthening MSEs visibility and the need for mass vaccinations to the small business owners who cross the regional borders every day. The EAC SG thanked the MSEs sector for being resilient during this pandemic period by continuing to create jobs and opportunities. The EAC SG was accompanied by the EAC Director General, Customs and Trade among other officials while CMSEO-EA was represented by the Chapter leaders from the six EAC Partner States and Richard Muteti, the CMSEO-EA and Jua Kali Sector CEO

Richard Muteti the MSMEs and Jua Kali Sector Chief attends the EAC EABC CEOs Breakfast meeting in Nairobi

calling for the development, promotion and certification of informal/MSMEs sector skills in the EAC region to improve their competitiveness and productivity. “we must prepare the MSMEs Sector players to take advantage of the African continental free trade area- during the EABC CEO breakfast roundtable with EAC Secretary General - Kenyan Chapter held today 06/08/2021

MSMEs constitute more than 80 percent of all total jobs in EAC region

Richard Muteti EAC Regional MSMEs and Jua Kali Sector Chief attends an EASTRIP Meeting in Addis, Ethiopia in July 2021

Three East African countries are participating in the Eastern Africa Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project (EASTRIP), i.e. Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania. The project supports the development of highly specialized Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs as well as industry-recognized short term certificate level training, and is targeting regional priority sectors in transport, energy, manufacturing and ICT / the project promotes the mobility of students and faculty within and beyond the region and will establish a community of practice of TVET in the region. A quality demand-driven TVET system can be a powerful engine for youth skills development leading to employment and poverty alleviation

Mr. Richard Muteti is also the Chairman of the COMESA Business Council SMEs Work-Group

Richard Muteti and Makueni County Government youth empowerment

Richard Muteti, the Jua kali sector chief in Kenya leads the youth empowerment programme in Makueni County where Jua Kali Federation and National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) partners to empower and promote entrepreneurship and creation of jobs for the youth in Makueni,

the Jua Kali Associations Worksites in Makueni will be used as assessment centers for the training programmes, MSEA has constructed and refurbished the Jua Kali constituency industrial development centers

Richard Muteti and the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA)

Richard Muteti, the Jua kali sector chief in Kenya leads the Jua Kali Sector in partnering with National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) aimed at enhancing artisans’ skills, a Move to support growth of the Jua Kali sector.

the partnership means Jua Kali artisans can acquire specific skills suited to their trade for a small fee and that an artisan who has a specific job can walk into a NITA Centre to use the specialized equipment suited for that job and pay a small fee.

the program will also allow skilled artisans but who have no papers to be certified and be officially recognized as professional workers.it is an open program. One only needs to go to NITA and demonstrate the skills that they have. And NITA will use their own systems to certify them

With over 80 per cent of the Kenyan economy anchored on the informal sector, a role significantly played by the Jua Kali sector, enabling the players in the industry through skills up-skilling ad re-skilling is necessary. This way, the workers can produce higher quality goods and services that can also be exported to the international market.

Mr. Richard Muteti is also the Chairman of COMESA Business Council SMEs Work-Group as well as the Head of Secretariat/CEO of the Confederation of Micro and Small Enterprises Organisation East Africa (CMSEO-EA) and The Regional EAC Project Manager of the EAC MSMEs Trade Fairs

Richard Muteti congratulates Hon. Dr. Peter Mathuki

Richard Muteti who is also the Chairman of COMESA Business Council SMEs Work-Group   leads the East African Community Confederation of Micro and Small Enterprises Organization East Africa (CMSEO-EA) along with the CMSEOEA Executives in congratulating Hon. Dr.  Peter Mathuki, The new Secretary General of the East African Community

CMSEO-EA noted that Hon. Dr. Mathuki’s appointment was a great honour to the private sector and especially the EAC regional Micro and Small Entrepreneurs who form the majority of the population in the region.

Mathuki’s long standing commitment and support of the East African Community integration process through trade and investment in his previous assignments and his ability to converge different views from partner states is highly commendable.

CMSEOEA noted that MSMEs sector is proud of Mathuki and is confident that the development and success of the Small Businesses sector is in good hands.

CMSEOEA looks forward to a good working relation with the EAC going forward

Richard Muteti and Intellectual Property Rights

Richard Muteti, CEO, Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali Associations and also Chairman of COMESA Business Council SMEs Work-Group leads a group of 300 small business owners from the Artisans National jua kali federation in participating in training on the use of Intellectual Property Rights to improve productivity and competitiveness among MSMEs at KICC with representation from several Counties-Protecting MSMEs Innovations in Kenya in support of Kenya's Agenda 4

Inside Business: Jua Kali Sector with Richard Muteti

Richard Muteti Celebrating SME hand book series origin in Kenya

Richard Muteti gives an over view of the Jua Kali Sector In Kenya

Manufacturing Sector Is One Of Governments Big Four Agenda

Kenya Hosts the 19th EAC Jua Kali/ Nguvu Kazi MSMEs Exhibition.

Close to 2000 Small Business Owners from 40 Counties and 5 EAC Partner States attend the 19th EAC Jua Kali MSMEs Exhibition in Eldoret showcasing the various products and services from SMEs and graced by H.E. Deputy President of Kenya Hon. Ruto, Cabinet Secretary for Industrialization and Trade Hon. Munya, H.E Hon. Mandago, Governor of Uasin Gishu County among other dignitaries from the EAC Partner States.

The nine (9) day event (2^nd-10^th December 2018)  was managed by Mr. Richard Muteti the Regional Project Manager of the EAC Jua Kali/ Nguvu Kazi Exhibitions and who also serves the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector in various capacities both within Kenya, East African Community and the COMESA region in general. Muteti is the founder of Small and Medium Enterprise Support, East Africa (SMES-EA) and author of the inaugural “ SME Handbook” series in Kenya.

Secretariat: SMES-EA

RICHARD MUTETI LEADS THE PREPARATIONS OF THE 19TH EAC JUA KALI/NGUVU KAZI EXHIBITION IN ELDORET-UASIN GISHU COUNTY

Preparation for the 19^th Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi Exhibition on Top Gear

The County organizing committee drawn from the County Government of Uasin Gishu which is planning the 19th Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi exhibition on 8^th, November 2018 met with the project manager Mr. Richard Muteti. They briefed him on the level of preparedness they have put in place for the success of the event. The team was joined the next day by The County Minister and the CEO of the Department of Trade and Industry along with representatives from the National Organizing Committee and the CISO Kenya Chapter Secretary General

Speaking in the meeting, Mr. Muteti who is also the Chairman of the COMESA Business Council SMEs Work-Group noted that he was pleased with all the measures placed by the administration terming it as being “on top of the game."

He asked the local committee to synchronize and compare notes with both national and regional organizing committees for the seamless flow of activities.

The East Africa 19th Jua Kali exhibition is expected to commence on 2nd -10th December, at Eldoret Sports Club, Uasin Gishu County where over 1500 artisans are expected to parade their locally made products.

Representatives from the County Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Confederation of Informal Sector Organization (CISO) and other stakeholders were also in attendance.

The project manager added that communication will be made to other Government agencies such as KRA to freely allow free movement of goods and services from all six-member states set to participate in the exhibition.

19^th EAC Jua Kali/ Nguvu Kazi Exhibition Brief

Kenya to Host the 19th EAC Jua Kali /Nguvu Kazi Exhibition 2018

The Republic of Kenya will be hosting the 19^th EAC Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi (MSMEs) Exhibition in December 2018, the event is organize by the East African Community, The Six (6) Partner States of the EAC Community and the East African Confederation of Informal Sector Organizations (EA-CISO)

This event is held annually on rotational basis among East Africa Community (EAC) member states in order to expand and promote cross border trade for Micro and Small Enterprises products and services; and contribute towards the integration of East Africa Community through cultural exchanges during the exhibition

The event aims at enhancing regional integration through promotion of trade activities for the MSME sector products and services at a regional level

The 19^th EAC Expo will be held in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County in Kenya where 1,500 exhibitors drawn from the six EAC Partner States are going to attend

Richard Muteti

Regional Project Manager

EAC Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi Exhibitions

Richard Muteti, CEO, Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali Associations

Meeting the Vice Chancellor and the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Co-operative University of Kenya

Strengthening the partnerships and linkages between the Small Businesses Sector and the cooperative movement in Kenya-Myriads of opportunities to be harnessed

The Co-operative University of Kenya is a specialized university in a unique niche of the economy sustaining millions of lives in Kenya. The institution has played a key role in setting the co-operative agenda in the nation which has contributed in shaping Kenya’s economy, among the issues discussed were:

Formation of cooperatives

Training members of the MSME associations

Opportunities for incubation, innovation, commercialization of ideas and capacity building among others

MSMEs Partners with TIVETS in Kenya

RICHARD MUTETI CEO Jua Kali Federation viewing Vehicle body building skills in-house
Inspecting the manufacturing of bodies for passenger-carrying vehicles by the Jua Kali sector at Kariobangi
our partnership with the TVETs will benefit through recognition of members prior and on the job learning outcomes through certification of their hard-earned competencies

The African Union Commission begins the process of validating SME Strategy and Master Plan 2017-2021

Nairobi, Kenya – 10 October 2016. The African Union Commission (AUC) began today the process of validating the Small Medium Enterprise (SME) Strategy and Master Plan 2017-2021 during a two-day workshop in Nairobi, Kenya. The objective of the initiative is to develop an African Union strategic framework which will support the implementation of the Accelerated Industrial Development of Africa (AIDA) and Africa’s sustainable economic transformation under Agenda 2063. The workshop was attended by the Senior Industry Officers from the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the Private Sector and Development Partners. AUC and UNECA officials co-chaired the working sessions

The SME Strategy and Master Plan 2017-2021 aims, among others, at improving the continental business environment, increasing business formation, supporting formalization of growth-oriented informal enterprises and startups, increasing SME/Is, MSMEs and entrepreneurs’ participation in regional and global value chains and promoting innovative financing.

Mrs. Treasure Thembisile Maphanga, Director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) of the African Union Commission, commended participants for their continuous commitment in supporting the Department of Trade and Industry to contribute to the sustainable structural transformation of the continent through Industrialization. She praised RECs and Experts from various institutions including the European Union, JICA, Traidlinks, UNCTAD, UNECA and Canadian Government who worked closely with the Commission during the last few months by providing comments and inputs in order to enrich the draft SME Strategy and Master Plan. The Director pointed out that Industrialization has recently become a high priority for more countries and more cooperating partners. She echoed the tragedy that migrants are going through while trying to join Europe and the high rate of youth’s unemployment. According to her, the continent’s industrialization appears to be the winning strategy that will accelerate job creation and poverty alleviation for the coming years in addition to support the continent’s sustainable structural transformation.

Mrs. Maphanga referred to some key statistics about the youth population in Africa to highlight the importance of taking advantage of its full potential. “In 2015, 226 million youth aged 15-24 lived in Africa, accounting for 19 per cent of the global youth population.  By 2030, it is projected that the number of youth in Africa will have increased by 42 per cent. Africa’s youth population is expected to continue to grow throughout the remainder of the 21st century, more than doubling from current levels by 2055”, she emphasized. She urged the audience to deepen its reflections and support productive capacities while discussing the issue of youth and start-ups. To harness the youth’s demographic dividend, which is the 2017 theme of the African Union, the Director for Trade and Industry indicated that research has identified some policy actions related to SME Development as key levers. “According to the findings, economic reforms to create more quality jobs with multiplier effects, enhance innovation and productivity of the informal sector and support graduation from small to medium sized enterprises, as well as transformative education to focus on innovation, skills development, science and technology and entrepreneurship are winning strategies”, she underscored.

The SME Strategy and Master Plan identifies initiatives that should be undertaken in the next five years that are aimed at unleashing the potential of SME/Is and MSMEs - the drivers of African economies’ growth to create employment, reduce poverty and promote by ensuring that women, young people and underserved populations, including those in rural areas, benefit from economic growth.

The EABC was represented by Mr. Richard Muteti the SME focal point