Kisumu, Kenya – The 2025 Business Ecosystem Summit in Kisumu opened with a powerful emphasis on forging international partnerships to empower Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), with the Sultanate of Oman and the Kisumu County Government positioning themselves as pivotal allies for this growth.
Kisumu County Governor, Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o, used the platform to issue a compelling invitation to global investors, branding the lakeside county and the wider Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) as “the next business frontier.”
“Hosting this summit, following major international events like the Afreximbank conference, is not a coincidence. It is a testament that Kisumu and the Lake region are open, competitive, and strategic for business,” Governor Nyong’o declared.
He underscored the county’s readiness to support enterprise development and attract investment across multiple high-potential sectors.
Echoing this commitment to cross-border collaboration, the Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to Kenya, Nasra Salim Mohammed Al Hashmi, outlined a shared vision for economic empowerment.
“On behalf of the Sultanate of Oman, I extend our gratitude for this platform for dialogue that truly matters, one that strengthens economies and uplifts people, especially businesses,” Ambassador Al Hashmi stated.
She highlighted the centuries-old relationship between Oman and Kenya, built on trade and cultural ties, which has now evolved into a strategic modern partnership.
“Oman sees Kenya, and especially this lake region, as a strategic gateway to East and Central Africa. We are committed to building cross-regional networks that empower women-led enterprises, youth innovators, and startups with global aspirations,” the Ambassador affirmed.
She directly linked this vision to Oman’s own economic diversification plans, such as its Fisheries and Agriculture Vision 2040, which presents significant investment opportunities. The diplomat positioned Oman as a vital bridge for Kenyan businesses, particularly MSMEs, seeking access to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and wider Middle Eastern markets.
The summit’s convener, Jeanette Oromo, CEO of IMC People Limited, challenged all stakeholders to translate dialogue into concrete action.
“The momentum we are witnessing must translate into tangible investments and partnerships. It is time to move beyond rhetoric and actively deploy capital into MSMEs,” she asserted.
Ms Oromo identified access to financing as the single biggest challenge facing small enterprises, which remain the backbone of both the Omani and Kenyan economies.
“The potential for improving our socio-economic status is limitless, but only if we have innovative financing models, patient capital, and inclusive value chains that support MSMEs,” she added, calling for permanent bridges between entrepreneurs and the resources they need to scale.
Expected to end on Friday, November 28th, the message from the summit’s leadership was clear: the future of trade between the Indian Ocean and Lake Victoria will be built on a foundation of strong, collaborative support for MSMEs, with Oman and Kisumu County poised to be at the heart of this transformative partnership.
