Amina discovered a newly popular hashtag on her social media page while perusing her feed on a bright morning in Nairobi. #MyMadeInKE. She clicked on it out of curiosity and immediately thrust into a lively world of Kenyan ingenuity. The hashtag included an astounding range of locally made products, from unique tech products to handcrafted jewelry. Eco-friendly clothing, and fine coffee. Like many others, Amina experienced a wave of curiosity and pride. Who were the folks who made these things, and what was the backstory?
Amina learned that #MyMadeInKE was a movement rather than just a hashtag as she dug deeper. It sought to honor and promote goods created in Kenya and to entice customers to patronize regional companies and craftspeople. In order to strengthen the economy of Kenya and promote a sense of patriotism, businesses, artists. And the government of Kenya came together to launch the initiative. Every post with the hashtag conveyed a tale of creativity, tenacity, and cultural legacy.
Amina set out to investigate the depths of Kenya’s regional businesses as a result of her newly discovered interest. She went to crowded marketplaces, interacted with driven business owners, and even went to workshops where age-old crafts being modernized. Amina learned about the diverse nature of Kenya’s creative economy and the significant advantages of buying locally produced goods through #MyMadeInKE. This piece explores the history, significance, and dynamic community that support #MyMadeInKE in an effort to distill the spirit of the movement.
Comprehending #MyMadeInKE: Inception and Goals
The History of #MyMadeInKE #MyMadeInKE started as a part of a larger campaign to raise awareness of Kenyan goods both domestically and globally. The Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA), working with regional companies and influencers, led the campaign. Its main objective was to promote national pride and economic growth via local consumption and export by showcasing the excellence and diversity of goods created in Kenya.
Goals of the Initiative
The following are some of #MyMadeInKE’s main goals:
Boosting Local Industries: To promote local consumption, emphasize the variety of goods produced in Kenya.
Increasing Exports: To enhance export prospects, Kenyan products should promoted on global channels.
Supporting SMEs: Giving small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) exposure and access to markets.
Celebrating and maintaining indigenous knowledge and traditional crafts known as cultural preservation.
Economic Growth: Encouraging local firms to help Kenya’s economy grow.
The Economic Contributions of Local Industries Affected by #MyMadeInKE
Kenya’s economy has significantly impacted by the #MyMadeInKE campaign. The campaign-driven boost in local output and consumption was partially responsible for the manufacturing sector’s 1.2% GDP contribution in 2021, according to a report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). In the same year, Kenyan exports increased by 10%, indicating the campaign’s success in breaking into foreign markets.
Creation of Jobs
Many jobs have created as a result of #MyMadeInKE’s support of regional industries. According to the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), the program has helped create over 50,000 jobs in the last two years, mostly in the artisanal, textile, and agricultural sectors. In a nation where the unemployment rate projected to be 7.4% as of 2022, this job creation is vital.
Increasing SMEs
Kenya’s economy is based primarily on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which make up approximately 98% of all firms in the nation. These companies now have a platform to expand into new markets and increase their visibility thanks to the #MyMadeInKE campaign. According to a Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) survey, 70% of SMEs that took part in the initiative reported higher sales and expanded businesses.
Honoring Kenyan Innovation: Triumphant Narratives
Textiles and Fashion
Because of #MyMadeInKE, Kenya’s textile and fashion industries have experienced a rebirth. Designers like as Wambui Kibue of Angelsmile House of Design are well-known throughout the world for their one-of-a-kind pieces that fuse traditional textiles with modern designs. Many collections marked with #MyMadeInKE now showcased at the annual Nairobi Fashion Week, drawing buyers and fashionistas from all over the world.
Art and Handicrafts
Kenyan craftsmen are reviving their rich legacy by using the #MyMadeInKE platform to connect with a larger audience. Demand for handcrafted ceramic jewelry from companies like Kazuri Beads has significantly increased. In addition to maintaining traditional skill, these goods give artisans—many of whom are women from underrepresented communities—a stable means of subsistence.
Consumables and Liquor
With the #MyMadeInKE campaign, gourmet food and beverage goods highlight Kenya’s agricultural expertise. Companies that have benefited from the program include Dormans Coffee and Kericho Gold Tea, which have increased their market share both domestically and globally. Locally grown and organic food products are becoming more and more popular as a result of the expanding farm-to-table dining movement.
Possibilities and Difficulties
Obstacles Local Producers Face
Despite their achievements, local manufacturers still have to overcome a number of obstacles, such as:
Market Access: Due to logistical and infrastructure limitations, there limited access to both domestic and foreign markets.
Funding: SMEs’ potential for expansion is hampered by a lack of capital and investment options.
Regulatory Obstacles: Complicated regulatory structures and excessive bureaucracy can obstruct the growth and operation of businesses.
Possibilities for Development
The #MyMadeInKE campaign has created a lot of growth prospects, including:
Digital Transformation: Reaching a larger audience and streamlining sales procedures by utilizing social media and e-commerce platforms.
Public-Private Partnerships: Efforts to strengthen support for regional industries through partnerships between the public and private sectors and international organizations.
Encouragement of innovation in product creation and variety of offers to adapt to shifting consumer tastes is known as innovation and diversification.
Social Media and Digital Platforms’ Role
Influence of Social Media
An important factor in the success of #MyMadeInKE has been social media. Posts promoting Kenyan goods are all over social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, reaching millions of individuals globally. Celebrities and influencers have also gotten involved in the movement, utilizing their platforms to support regional businesses and goods.
Marketplaces and E-Commerce Online
Local producers now have a useful instrument to access international markets thanks to the growth of e-commerce. Customers may buy and support local products more easily thanks to the large selection of #MyMadeInKE products available on online marketplaces like Jumia and Kilimall. E-commerce transactions in Kenya increased by 42% in 2021, according to the Communications Authority of Kenya, demonstrating the promise of digital platforms.
Commonly Asked Questions concerning #MyMadeInKE
Describe #MyMadeInKE.
#MyMadeInKE is a campaign that aims to improve local exports and consumption of goods made in Kenya while also assisting small companies in the area.
In what ways may I take part in #MyMadeInKE?
You can take part by supporting regional companies and artisans, buying and promoting goods manufactured in Kenya, and posting on social media with the hashtag #MyMadeInKE.
Which products are part of the #MyMadeInKE collection?
Products from fashion and textiles to handicrafts, food and drink, technology, and other categories are all included in the campaign.
What advantages does #MyMadeInKE offer nearby companies?
Through increasing sales and possible export options, the campaign gives local firms market access, visibility, and growth chances.
What effect has #MyMadeInKE made on the economy of Kenya?
#MyMadeInKE has increased the manufacturing sector’s GDP contribution, increased exports, and created jobs, all of which have led to economic growth.
In what ways can I help #MyMadeInKE?
Purchasing Kenyan-made goods, sharing them on social media, and motivating others to do the same are all ways that you can support the campaign.
Conclusion
Kenyans’ sense of pride and solidarity has been sparked by the #MyMadeInKE initiative, which highlights the nation’s vibrant culture and spirit of entrepreneurship. Kenyan goods are becoming more and more well-known, thanks to the combined efforts of enthusiastic business owners, skilled craftspeople, and receptive customers, in both international trade shows and Nairobi’s busy marketplaces
Supporting #MyMadeInKE is an investment in the future of Kenya’s economy and cultural identity, as Amina found out. It’s more than just a purchase. In addition to honoring the ingenuity and tenacity of our fellow Kenyans, we promote sustainable economic growth when we support locally produced goods.
The #MyMadeInKE adventure is far from finished. The campaign has the potential to turn Kenya into a center of excellence and creativity on a global scale with sustained support and innovation. Let’s work together to celebrate and raise awareness of #MyMadeInKE so that everyone may see how beautiful and superior Kenyan goods are.