Role of various Institutions in providing Technology Support Services to MSEs in Kenya

Abstract

We base this paper on the premise that the quality of the institutional framework affects the level of social acceptance of policy (such as science and technology policy, and MSE policy), minimizes policy conflicts and enhances the implementation of policy. We review MSE policies and analyze the institutional framework for providing technology services to MSEs in Kenya. We observe that although the country has evolved an MSE policy, the country lacks a coherent and comprehensive science, technology and innovation policy to guide decision-making. A national technology vision is lacking and commercialization of technology, programs for “techno-preneurs” and technology benchmarking are yet to receive policy attention. The institutional structure is diverse but is dominated by the public sector. Institutions range from those providing technology extension, quality and standards, protection of industrial property, innovation and technology development to those involved in policy formulation and planning. However, the functional mandates of some of the institutions create room for competition and wastage of resources since their coordination is weak and the linkages between some of these institutions with MSEs remains inadequate.

Keywords: Micro and Small Enterprises, entrepreneurship, informal sector, technology, innovation