Kenya

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) constitute more than 70% of manufacturing firms in Kenya, but because of their generally informal nature, these enterprises lack the benefit of economies of scale and access to technology and financial and human capital. The manufacturing sector is also characterized by weak inter-firm linkages and a low level of innovation, leading to low exports. Production costs are high, inhibiting productivity, suppressing demand for finished products and limiting profits, which hampers the ability of enterprises to attract investment. There is a need to refine and harmonize existing regulatory frameworks so that green economy practices can be mainstreamed. Regulatory innovation to provide for sustainable consumption and production is important for providing direction and bolstering eco-innovative efforts in the sector.

To address some of these issues, the MSMEs involved in SWITCH Africa Green projects in Kenya benefit from technical advice on eco-innovation and aspects of sustainable consumption and production, such as resource efficiency, integrated waste management, energy efficiency and industrial symbiosis, as well as general business advice on management, including financial management.

Projects

Ongoing Agriculture
A revenue generation approach for SCP (sustainable consumption and production) dissemination in Kenya

Agriculture is the backbone of Kenya’s economy: the sector accounts for 25% of gross domestic product and 65% of the country’s total export earnings. Composed largely of small-scale production (75% of the total agriculture outputs), the sector faces structural deficits such as stagnant productivity, expensive farm inputs, poor storage facilities and weak market competition. 

Ongoing Agriculture
Inclusive green horticultural processing sector in Kenya
Ongoing Agriculture
Green horticulture at Lake Naivasha (GOALAN) project

Large- and small-scale horticulture is a key contributor to Kenya’s economy, but has a significant negative impact on the local environment, including through unsustainable water consumption and pollution from the use of fertilizers and pesticides.

Completed Agriculture
Promoting eco-entrepreneurship in Africa

The greatest challenges facing eco-enterprises are a lack of access to knowledge, networks, financing and high-quality business development services and poor enabling conditions, including a shortage of skilled people at the community level.

Completed Integrated Waste Management
Greening SME leather clusters and the leather tanning industry

Kenya has 14 operating tanneries, most of which face challenges pertaining to limited modernization and effluent management. Approximately 95% of the leather produced is being exported in a semi-processed state (wet blue), earning approximately $160 million a year.

Completed Manufacturing
Enhancing the resource productivity and environmental performance of MSMEs in 6 African countries through the concept of industrial symbiosis

The problem of the collection, management and disposal of waste continues to feature prominently in major towns and cities across African countries. This has led to contamination of water bodies and to the spread of waterborne diseases and other health hazards.

Completed Manufacturing
Capacity enhancement for green business development and eco-entrepreneurship in the agricultural sector

Most micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and business membership organizations are necessity-driven rather than growth-oriented.

Completed Manufacturing
Upscaling sustainable commercial production of medicinal plants by community-based conservation groups at Kakamega Forest in Kenya

The Kakamega Forest Reserve is the only surviving rainforest in Kenya. The forest provides a unique sanctuary for a remarkable diversity of endemic plants, birds and insects not found anywhere else in Kenya. It is also an important watershed for some of the rivers that flow into Lake Victoria.

Ongoing Tourism
Green Tours – Replicating tourism industry sustainability best practices in the Kenyan and wider African tourism supply chain through an integrated, business-led approach

There is a global trend towards increased consumer and tourist demand for socially and environmentally responsible products, particularly in eco-sensitive destinations such as Africa. In over-saturated safari tourism markets throughout the continent, there is rising competition among local brands and businesses to win market share.

Completed Tourism
Growing Tourism Sustainably in Kenya

Nearly a million people visit Kenya each year. How can Kenyans capitalise on the country’s rich cultural heritage and stunning nature while also maintaining it?

Community Based Tourism (CBT) allows Kenya to position their local communities as centres of economic development and social wellbeing.

SWITCH-Africa Green Programme is implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme with the financial support of the European Union. The contents of this website are the sole responsibility of the project partners and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

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