In Kenya, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) form the beating heart of the economy, employing over 80% of Kenya’s workforce and contributing approximately 30% to the GDP.
With that in mind, it is refreshing and timely to see a major financial institution like UBA Kenya step forward with meaningful engagement. Their recently held webinar series, themed “Stronger Together: Building Powerful Business Partnerships,” was not just another corporate event. It was a masterclass in business survival, growth, and relevance, tailored for the very people who keep Kenya’s economic engine running.
UBA Kenya understands that success for SMEs is not merely about capital injection or accessing credit; it is about mindset, relationships, adaptability, and long-term vision. The key takeaways were practical, deeply resonant, and grounded in the realities of running a business in a volatile environment.
Let’s unpack them.
Go After Opportunities with Boldness and Hunger
In a time when competition is global, technology is leveling the playing field, and disruption is no longer a threat but a certainty, SMEs cannot afford to play it safe. In a post-pandemic economy, only those bold enough to seize emerging gaps, whether in e-commerce, green innovation, logistics, or digital services, will survive. Fear has never built an empire. Hunger has.
Stay Flexible Because the Economy Will Not Always Play Nice
Economies shift. Interest rates rise. The shilling depreciates. Consumer behavior changes overnight. This point by UBA Kenya is a reminder that business rigidity is a silent killer.
SMEs that survived COVID-19 were not necessarily the best-funded but the most adaptable; those that turned restaurants into takeout kitchens, salons into home service apps, or retail stores into delivery hubs. As the macroeconomic environment continues to test businesses with inflation, taxation reforms, and currency fluctuations, flexibility is no longer a luxury. It is an obligation.
Tell Real Stories, Be Authentic, and Own a Narrative
In the age of brand saturation and digital clutter, people crave authenticity. Customers do not just buy products; they buy into stories.
SMEs that humanize their journey—speaking about the struggle, the wins, the lessons—create loyal tribes, not just transactional customers. Moreover, in a time when misinformation can derail reputation in a heartbeat, owning your story is the best armor.
When Choosing Partners, Alignment Is Better Than Size
Perhaps the most powerful takeaway from the webinar was this: alignment trumps size. Too often, SMEs get dazzled by big names, impressive offices, or massive social media followings when seeking collaborators. But a misaligned partner, however large, can do more harm than good.
Whether it’s in a joint venture, supplier agreement, or strategic collaboration, shared values, common vision, and mutual respect are far more valuable than raw size or flashy influence. One aligned partner can catalyze a business more than ten misaligned ones can.
Put Structures in Place Early—and Never Get Too Comfortable
Structure is what separates a hustle from a business. From the outset, SMEs must build systems, financial reporting, HR frameworks, governance models, and customer service standards that can scale. Waiting until the business grows to formalize these elements is a mistake that has killed many promising ventures. More importantly, the caution against getting “too comfortable” is perhaps the most honest. Comfort can breed complacency. A business should always be a work in progress—constantly innovating, refining, and staying hungry.
Do Not Overlook the Everyday People Who Help You
Finally, in an era of networking events and high-profile investor meetups, this reminder to value the “everyday people” is deeply human and profoundly strategic. It is the loyal boda rider who ensures delivery is on time.
The cleaner who keeps your shop inviting. The assistant who runs errands without fail. Businesses are built on people, and gratitude, recognition, and respect toward these silent contributors often translate into loyalty, better morale, and unexpected resilience.
The future of Kenya’s economy will be shaped by SMEs that are bold, authentic, strategic, and collaborative. And if this webinar is anything to go by, UBA Kenya is not just cheering from the sidelines; it is walking the journey alongside them. That is partnership in action. And that is how we build stronger businesses, together.
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