This archive report was first published on 9 July 2019.
On July 9, 2019, the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) and the African Guarantee Fund (AGF) signed a partnership aimed at boosting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector. The agreement was signed in Nairobi, Kenya.
The partnership will see the two institutions collaborate to identify and address funding gaps, institutional challenges, and key impediments in the manufacturing sector. This will be achieved through AGF's guarantee products and capacity development, as well as KAM's Sustainable Use of Natural Resources & Energy Finance (SUNREF) credit and technical facility.
According to KAM CEO, Phyllis Wakiaga, the partnership will ensure energy efficiency and conservation initiatives, as well as involve banks in identifying highly potential micro and small enterprises and recommending them to be supported within the recently launched KAM Manufacturing SME Hub.
AGF CEO, Felix Bikpo, hailed the partnership as a pacesetter, terming it the first between AGF and a national manufacturing association among the 40 African countries where AGF is currently operational.
The partnership is also focused on the attainment of Global SDGs through KAM's Green Growth Initiative and AGF's Green Guarantee Facility.
