Kenya launches first MSME opportunity readiness index

Kenya has unveiled its first-ever Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Opportunity Readiness Index, known as the Fursa Index, during the SalesFest Africa – Chanuka Jipange Edition.

Developed through the Chanuka Jipange national engagement across all 47 counties, the Fursa Index assesses how prepared Kenyan MSMEs are to access real economic opportunities and participate in structured markets. Insights from more than 10,000 enterprises informed the report.

Speaking at the launch, Principal Secretary for MSME Development, Susan Mang’eni, welcomed the findings and highlighted their importance as the government reviews the national MSME policy framework.

She posed key questions, including how markets could be structured for boda boda operators and how informal businesses such as hawkers could integrate into organised systems.

“The Fursa Index offers insights that can help shape policies responsive to the real experiences of entrepreneurs,” the PS said.

Principal Secretary for MSME Development Susan Mang’eni during the SalesFest Africa – Chanuka Jipange Edition in Nairobi on March 12, 2026 / HANDOUT

Behavioural scientist Irene Njoroge said the role of structure in economic growth, adding that the secret of change is not to push harder; it is to remove friction.

She also highlighted three mindsets that hinder entrepreneurs from entering structured markets: survival, blame, and hustle mindsets.

CEO of the Kenya Flower Council, Clement Tulezi described the flower industry as a model of structured operations.

Livestock expert David Maina contrasted this with the largely disorganised livestock sector, advocating for grading systems and feeding hubs similar to the Galana Kulalu model to unlock economic potential for pastoralists and smallholder farmers.

The Fursa Index launch marks the beginning of a broader national conversation on building structured opportunity systems, enabling Kenyan enterprises to scale, attract capital, and compete globally.