
ASSEK was officially launched on 21st of May, 2019 at Crowne Plaza – Upper Hill. The official launch of the Association was graced by, Ramses Malaty, Counsellor/Deputy Head of Mission – Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Betty Maina, Principal Secretary – State Department of Investment and Industry Ministry of Industry, Trade and Cooperatives who was represented by Florence Kimata, SME Advisor – Ministry of Industry Trade and Cooperatives. The launch event attracted over 65 startup and SMEs Enablers.
With SMES contributing to 35 percent towards the Overall GDP of Kenya, there was a need to ensure positioning of the Kenyan entrepreneurial ecosystem internationally, facilitating capacity building, easing the sharing of information , enhancing knowledge dissemination and best practices between members and promoting access to opportunities through collaborations and partnerships.