IYBA-SEED in Kenya

Supporting the vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystem

IYBA-SEED Kenya proposes an approach that takes already existing successful initiatives from the vibrant urban entrepreneurial “hubs” (i.e. most importantly Nairobi) into key peri-urban and rural regions, where entrepreneurial ecosystems exist but lack the necessary support structures. This is the opportunity to replicate and upscale appropriate toolkits, training contents and knowledge products which have already proven effective and successful.

Alongside this predominantly regional approach, IYBA-SEED Kenya capitalizes on the current political momentum on the national level, driven by the new government's focus and commitment on enhancing vibrant entrepreneurship, this is evident the Startup Bill, 2022, (An Act of Parliament).

IYBA-SEED proposes to develop innovative new financial products with the main national financial players, dedicated to entrepreneurs in their start-up and pre-start-up phases.

Decentralizing support to build local economies in three peri-urban/rural counties: Uasin Gishu, Kisumu, and Nakuru

All IYBA-SEED Kenya activities are anchored on strategic partnerships with existing private sector development programs and aligned with national policy priorities to maximize synergies between activities, impacts and continuous feedback. The three selected counties for the regional approach are Uasin Gishu, Kisumu and Nakuru.

IYBA-SEED selected these three counties based on:

A growing youth-led entrepreneurship scene that requires structured business support.

Existing ecosystem actors (incubators, accelerators, and hubs) that need targeted capacity-building.

Strong local government support, particularly through enterprise development directorates.

However, despite their potential, entrepreneurs in these regions face four key challenges.

1. Limited access to finance and financial management skills.

2. Market constraints and inadequate market access strategies.

3. Cultural Norms and Bias, hindering women to develop as entrepreneurs.

4. Policy implementation challenges.

IYBA-SEED Kenya key activities

Development and awareness creation for new financial products suited for SEED beneficiaries (women, youth, pre-/seed entrepreneurs).
Design and implement new credit risk assessment strategies for increased mobilization of conventional sources of finance to SEED beneficiaries.
Capacity building of business development services providers to deliver financial literacy programs tailored to the needs of different types of SEED beneficiaries.
Facilitation of networking and knowledge sharing between and among financial ecosystem actors and actors of entrepreneurial ecosystems Capacity development of business development services providers to deliver market access focused support programs to SEED beneficiaries.
Capacity development of business development services providers to develop and deliver programs supporting SEED beneficiaries for compliance to certification/regulatory requirements.
Support actors of entrepreneurial ecosystems to provide market platforms to SEED entrepreneurs for showcasing their products.
Promote development of entrepreneurship skills through educational and public awareness initiatives.
Support initiatives to promote women participation in sectors where they are underrepresented.
Support actors of entrepreneurial ecosystems to execute their advocacy roles effectively.
Support existing public-private dialogue mechanisms/platforms to promote engagement on a regulatory/policy agenda that will improve the business environment for young enterprises.
Support the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA) in the implementation of policies that facilitate participation of SEED beneficiaries in business.