County Launches Nairobi Export Growth Fund

Nairobi County unveiled the Export Growth Fund, a strategic initiative designed to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and exporters by providing them with affordable financing, export guarantees, and technical support. The fund was introduced in collaboration with the Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA) and development partners, aligning with Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which prioritizes trade expansion and SME competitiveness.
The Export Growth Fund focuses on credit facilities, trade insurance, and capacity-building programs to help businesses access regional and international markets. Nairobi County emphasized that the fund will reduce barriers such as high transaction costs, limited access to capital, and compliance challenges, enabling SMEs to scale their operations and diversify their customer base. The initiative also integrates digital platforms to streamline applications and connect exporters with global buyers.
Entrepreneurs have welcomed the program, noting that it helps them overcome long-standing challenges in cross-border trade. Analysts argue that the Export Growth Fund is transformative because it embeds financing into export readiness, complementing earlier initiatives such as the Export Financing Platform (May 2025) and the Local Export Partnerships (November 2025). Together, these programs create a comprehensive ecosystem for trade facilitation and SME growth.
Looking ahead, Nairobi County plans to expand the fund by integrating green supply chain financing, AI-powered trade analytics, and partnerships with international development agencies. Officials believe that by embedding export financing into SME development, Nairobi can accelerate job creation, attract foreign investment, and reinforce its role as East Africa’s trade gateway.