The Power of Cross Border Trade and e-Commerce and Digital Trade Strategies in Kenya and Beyond

More than 50 MSMEs in Homa Bay and Nyamira counties faced structural challenges such as limited access to reliable digital infrastructure, lack of awareness of e-commerce regulations, weak adoption of e-payment systems, and minimal technical capacity that hindered them from leveraging digital platforms effectively.

Additionally, the entrepreneurs cited trust deficits among consumers and traders, compounded by gender disparities and environmental vulnerabilities, which further restricted the ability of MSMEs, especially those in peri-urban, rural, and underserved regions, to scale through cross-border and digital trade.

To successfully curb these challenges and enhance regional integration, increase export opportunities, and ensure MSMEs can contribute meaningfully to Africa’s digital economy, the Pan-African e-Commerce Initiative (PeCI), commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), in partnership with Live Your Dream Enterprises, trained more than 50 MSMEs on cross-border trade and e-commerce in Homa Bay and Nyamira counties.

Most MSMEs in Nyamira and Homa Bay traditionally rely on local markets, which hinders their growth and economic sustainability. Through this capacity-building training, the entrepreneurs will be able to successfully open up access to larger regional markets such as Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda. This will, in turn, increase their customer base, diversify income streams, and reduce dependency on limited local demand.

For example, one of our MSMEs, George Mogaka, the founder of Geez Farming (focused on banana plantations), can now sell dried bananas or handmade crafts and reach customers in Kampala or Rwanda through online platforms or regional distributors. Another MSME who participated in the training, Florence Akama—a representative of the COW Community Project with a key focus on peanut farming—can enhance the visibility of their products by showcasing them on platforms like WhatsApp Business, Facebook Marketplace, or Jumia, which allow MSMEs to extend their reach beyond their physical location. With more visibility comes greater brand recognition, more competitive pricing, and trust-building through professional presentation.

Some of the participating businesses included manufacturers of fruit juice, timber producers, NGOs offering business development services, and others focused on banana plantations. Another entrepreneur, Yusuf Oduor, founder of The NGO Growth Blueprint, successfully created a website immediately after the training. He said:

"The training on Cross-Border Trade was transformative. The facilitators simplified complex concepts with clarity and real-world application. I particularly valued the focus on enhancing online presence for African businesses. The knowledge gained will directly inform how I scale our services regionally. I’m excited to implement these strategies and support more grassroots NGOs to adopt more sustainable strategies."

With this transformative capacity-building training, Live Your Dream Enterprises, in partnership with GIZ, has not only created successful pathways for economic sustainability in Kenya and beyond but also driven economic empowerment by creating access to regional and digital markets, promoting inclusive and sustainable growth, and building globally aware yet locally rooted entrepreneurs.

Understanding that sustainable growth requires ongoing support, Live Your Dream Enterprises Ltd also conducted virtual mentorship and coaching sessions, with dedicated Q&A segments, to help entrepreneurs seek clarification, deepen their understanding, and strengthen their growth journey.

The success of the Homa Bay and Nyamira county training would not have been possible without the support of our partners. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to GIZ, represented by Jennifer Chiku, for her support and for recognizing the potential in empowering local enterprises. Special thanks also go to our passionate trainers—Edna Onyach, Otieno Paul Peter Esq., Anthonia Mutunga—and the various stakeholders and ecosystem enablers who contributed their time and expertise to make this program a resounding success.

By equipping MSMEs with tools for cross-border trade and digital readiness, we are building an entrepreneurial ecosystem that is resilient, sustainable, and ready for regional and global markets. Together, we are empowering sustainable and impactful enterprises!