Naivasha, 6th April 2025.
Nairobi City County is working on a framework that once adopted will transform the trade and markets sub sector creating an enabling working environment that will benefit both traders and consumers in Nairobi.
Currently, the County Subsector of Markets and Trade is in the process of developing Trade and Markets policies (Markets and Trading Services Policy and Trade, Industry and Investment Policy) which when complete will address both domestic and international business environment while supporting micro, small and medium enterprises.
The two policies also provide directions of infrastructure development, licensing, fair trading practices, consumer protection, digital integration, Environmental sustainability and revenue mobilization.
“The policies will guide us on the development, management and regulation of markets and trading spaces, while supporting the micro, small and medium enterprises.” Stated Dr. Anastasia Nyalita, the County Executive Committee Member for Business and Hustler Opportunities Sector during the draft policy review workshop in Naivasha.
With the input of various stakeholders and experts, Dr. Nyalita noted that Nairobi City County is in the right track towards transforming its trade and markets sub sector into a key driver of economic growth and competitiveness.
Addressing the same meeting, the County Chief Officer in charge of Markets and Trade Ms. Jane Wangúi, pointed out that the two policies are expected to address the longstanding challenges in infrastructure, governance, regulation and equity in the trade and markets sector.
“The policies are very critical. They will not only address the challenges faced by the traders but also provide a clear roadmap for modernizing markets and support micro and small enterprises”. Stated Ms. Wangúi.
The Draft Trade and Markets Policies cover all trade and market initiatives within Nairobi City County including both formal and informal enterprises, wholesale and retail commerce, cross border trading as well as digital trade platforms.
Present at the Workshop were; Directors; Markets (Mr. Joel Muli) Licensing (Mr. Johnson Akong’o), Macro, Small & Medium Enterprises (Mr. Julius Karina), Weight and Measures (Mr. Benedict Bwire), Ag. Director Trade and Industry ( Ms. Lydia Ndung’u), Donor Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement ( Mr. Kefa Omanga), Subsector technical staff, representatives from County department of Policy, Kenya Law Reforms Commission, State Departments of Trade, Industry and Investments.
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