Over 100 South African SMEs have started a five-day innovation and technology exchange initiative in Kiambu County to give them the tools they need to develop and grow their companies.
The course, which is being hosted at Zetech University, has been organised by the Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and course Authority (WRSETA), a parastatal in South Africa, and aims to teach the participants business-related skills like networking, marketing, customer service, and food safety laws.
The skills would enable the SMEs to build their country’s economy and improve bilateral relations between Kenya and South Africa, according to Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu, high commissioner of South Africa to Kenya.
While acknowledging the improvement in bilateral connections, Mahlangu stated that further agreements and collaborations will be inked and put into place through the South African Informal Traders Development project.
“Informal cross-border trade contributes to regional integration as the traders move and distribute goods across borders. They contribute to development, poverty alleviation, and attain food security,” said Mahlangu.
Beatrice Inyangala, principal secretary for higher education and research, advised universities to capitalise on the connections between Kenya and other nations and collaborate to build strong academic-industry ties both locally and internationally.
While acknowledging the strong and consistent links between the two nations, the PS stated that a number of actions have been agreed upon, even going so far as to further strengthen diplomatic ties.
“I am sure the delegates from South Africa did not apply for any Visa to attend this training. This is a demonstration of how the two governments remain cognizant of the need for free movement among their people especially within the continent,” she said.
By giving investors a better environment for growth, Kiambu County Trade CEC Nancy Gichung’wa stated that the County will continue to assist investors in expanding their businesses across a range of sectors.
She urged both residents and visitors to take advantage of the many opportunities present in the enormous county, which she claimed has the potential to address issues plaguing the county and the nation as a whole.
“Kiambu is open for business. We are ready to help our entrepreneurs go about their activities with ease and with fewer interruptions because we believe it is the informal sector that can help us create jobs, fight poverty and grow our economy,” said Gichung’wa.
