Over 100 small and medium business owners gathered in Migori during a dinner organised by NCBA Bank to explore financial solutions and discuss economic opportunities in the region.

The event drew stakeholders from both government and the private sector, including Dr Betty Mogesi Samburu, the County Executive for Trade and Tourism, and Byron Noel Otieno from the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) Migori Chapter.

They discussed local enterprise development, stressing the need for collaboration, improved access to capital, and support for entrepreneurs.

NCBA’s Director of Retail Banking, Dennis Njau, said the bank has partnered with institutions to strengthen SME operations.

“We are proud of the work we have done to support SMEs, and we are happy to have empowered the business community in Migori County. At NCBA, we have established partnerships with like-minded institutions like the one we have with Strathmore University for our Owners Management Program, and Enterprise Development Programs, to support SME owners in running their businesses," Njau stated.

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"Working with the African Guarantee Fund and Proparco has also positioned us to be at the forefront of seamless financing, ensuring our customers continue to expand their businesses.”

Migori’s contribution to national output in the 2023/2024 period was valued at Sh90.95 billion, representing 1.2 per cent of Kenya’s Gross Value Added (GVA).

The region showed an average annual GVA growth of 4.54 per cent over a decade, surpassing the national average of 4.37 per cent.

Services accounted for nearly half of the county’s GVA, while agriculture followed at 36.29 per cent and industry at just over 14 per cent.

Despite this, Migori still contends with high poverty levels at 48 per cent, rising population, poor infrastructure, and labour inefficiencies.

Deputy Governor Joseph Mahiri, who also attended, expressed the county’s readiness to work with the financial sector.

“We are pleased to have participated in this important forum hosted by NCBA. We recognize the challenges faced by the Migori business community and are enthusiastic about partnering with private financial institutions to help bridge the financial gap for SMEs in the region and boost economic growth," Mahiri said.

The dinner served as a space for dialogue between financial institutions and county leaders, with a focus on practical solutions to economic stagnation, limited funding, and weak business support systems.