County Introduces Training for Informal Sector Business Owners
The Nairobi City County Government has launched a comprehensive skills development program specifically designed for business owners in the informal sector, marking a strategic move to bolster the city’s vast Jua Kali economy. Dubbed the Jua Kali Biashara Fundi Initiative, the program will offer free training in essential business management skills, including basic bookkeeping, customer service, digital literacy, and marketing. The initiative targets thousands of artisans, small-scale traders, and service providers who form the backbone of Nairobi’s grassroots economy but often operate without formal business training.
The training program will be rolled out through a network of community halls and vocational training centers across all 17 sub-counties, with sessions scheduled during flexible hours to accommodate the busy schedules of traders. In addition to classroom instruction, the program includes practical mentorship from successful entrepreneurs and access to a digital resource portal with simplified business guides. Our informal sector is a powerhouse of innovation and resilience, but many talented individuals lack the business acumen to grow their ventures sustainably. This initiative is about equipping them with the skills to transform their hard work into profitable, lasting enterprises, said County Executive for Trade, Ms. Wanjiku Mbaru, during the launch at the Kariobangi Light Industries.
The response from the informal business community has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing hope that the training will help them overcome long-standing challenges. Jua Kali artisans, in particular, have highlighted difficulties with pricing, record-keeping, and accessing larger markets as key hurdles. I am skilled at making furniture, but I have always struggled with knowing how much to charge to make a profit or how to keep track of my expenses. This training will finally help me treat my craft as a real business, said John Mwangi, a carpenter based in Gikomba.
The long-term objective of the program is to facilitate the gradual formalization of informal businesses, enabling them to access better financing, government contracts, and social protections. The county government views this as a critical step toward expanding the tax base and creating a more structured and resilient urban economy. When we empower our informal sector with knowledge, we are not just supporting individual livelihoods; we are strengthening the entire economic fabric of Nairobi. A skilled informal sector is a more productive and prosperous one, affirmed Governor Johnson Sakaja. The success of the initiative will be measured by its ability to increase the income levels and sustainability of participating businesses over the coming year.