Principal Secretary for MSMEs Development, Hon. Susan Mang’eni, has called on university students to adopt entrepreneurship as a way of thinking and a path to economic empowerment.
Speaking during the Career and Cultural Week 2025 at Kibabii University, themed “Navigating Modern Challenges through Unique Cultural Diversity and Talent,” the PS underscored the importance of nurturing a culture of enterprise alongside Kenya’s rich cultural heritage.
“Beyond the beauty of our cultural expressions lies another essential culture that defines us as a nation — the culture of entrepreneurship,” she said, emphasizing that Kenya’s economy is largely driven by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which contribute about 40% of the country’s GDP and generate over 77% of all jobs.
Hon. Mang’eni challenged students to think beyond traditional employment and leverage entrepreneurial thinking to transform their professional skills into viable business ventures. “Students should look beyond employment and instead find ways to enterprise their professions, turning opportunities within their sectors into sustainable jobs and businesses,” she noted.
She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for youth empowerment through initiatives such as the NYOTA Project, the Hustler Fund, the Uwezo Fund, and the establishment of County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs). These initiatives, she said, are central to promoting innovation, manufacturing, and value addition across Kenya’s priority value chains.
The PS’s engagement with Kibabii University comes amid broader government efforts to inspire entrepreneurial thinking among young people as a driver of inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.
