Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)- Kenya Report (Round 3)

This report examines the devastating impact of COVID-19 on Kenyan MSMEs even after the restrictions on movement were relaxed and the market opened, documenting changes since the last survey in September 2020. The findings were synthesized to provide recommendations and opportunities for policymakers and financial service providers to strengthen their efforts to support MSMEs.

The objective of the research was to:

• Assess and quantify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on entrepreneurs as well as their families and businesses.
• Assess the gender implications for businesses as well as households.
• Assess the impact of COVID-19 on the enterprises with regard to revenues and costs (including input costs), supply chains, business activities and product ranges, and liquidity management.
• Inform policy and regulatory changes to support subsequent efforts to help rebuild the enterprise segment.
• Assess the effectiveness of different business support communication channels, if any, and use them to reach out to enterprises.
• Understand the role of entrepreneur networks and the impact of the pandemic on them.
• Gather ideas for additional support services and recovery efforts after the crisis.