Young entrepreneurs are redefining small business in Kenya’s bustling markets in Nairobi. Being creative, gritty, and gaining greater support systems, these young people are transforming street-level businesses into successful ones and are changing what it is to be a young business owner in Africa today.
Case in point is Brian Mwangi, 24, who began selling two-dollar handmade sandals with a small stand in Gikomba Market. He owns a workshop of 12 now and five years on, he exports his sandals to the East African countries. He says that a little idea can become a big one, though with perseverance and clever utilisation of social media.
The emergence of online platforms, access to cheap microloans, and other initiatives supported by the government, such as the Uwezo Fund, have contributed significantly to this transition. These programs have already benefited more than 100,000 youth and women, providing them with loans and mentorship in order to grow their businesses.
This entrepreneurship wave is not simply an economic trend, as noted by experts. It is giving a generation the power to overcome unemployment, adding to the development of the nation, and giving others an opportunity. Dr. according to an economist at the University of Nairobi, Esther Njeri, the informal Kenyan economy is being supported by youth-led businesses. They are innovative, resilient and socially responsible.
An example of such a story is the Achieng of Kisumu, who is a small vegetable vendor who has built a successful community grocery through microfinance. I do not have any fears about taking my children to school. I have three other youngsters in my village, she boasts.
Despite the challenges that are still present (expensive raw materials, competition in the market, and inadequate access to formal financial systems), the Kenyan young people are still being innovative. They can be mobile money businesses, artisans, agribusiness or tech startups. The creativity is unlimited.
This entrepreneurial culture is indicative of a bigger African story: a continent that took advantage of its young people, resources and digital tools to create a sustainable future. These small-scale businesses have the potential to transform the economy of Kenya with patronage and appreciation, but they can also be the hope of the next generation of leaders in Africa.
