County Expands Nairobi Business Development Centers

November 2025, Nairobi County announced the expansion of its Business Development Centers (BDCs) to provide wider access to entrepreneurship support services. The initiative was part of the county’s Annual Development Plan 2025/2026, which prioritizes SME empowerment, innovation, and inclusive growth. County officials emphasized that the expansion would ensure that more entrepreneurs—particularly youth and women—can access training, financing, and mentorship programs.
The expanded centers now offer digital platforms, export readiness training, and green business modules, enabling SMEs to integrate sustainability and technology into their operations. Nairobi County partnered with local chambers of commerce, development agencies, and financial institutions to provide affordable credit and technical support. This ecosystem is designed to reduce barriers such as limited access to capital, fragmented supply chains, and high transaction costs.
Entrepreneurs welcomed the expansion, noting that BDCs help them scale faster, diversify markets, and strengthen competitiveness. Analysts argue that the initiative is transformative for Nairobi’s economy, embedding business support into everyday operations while complementing earlier programs such as the Business Growth Program (October 2025) and the Export Growth Fund (November 2025). Together, these initiatives create a comprehensive framework for SME development and trade facilitation.
Looking ahead, Nairobi County plans to integrate the centers with AI-powered business analytics, blockchain-based trade certification, and smart financing platforms. Officials believe that by embedding advanced tools into BDCs, Nairobi can accelerate job creation, attract foreign investment, and reinforce its role as East Africa’s entrepreneurial hub.