Microsoft's 4Afrika initiative has launched an online portal, Biz4Afrika, for Kenyan small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
According to a statement using the portal Kenyan SMEs will be able to access locally relevant information and resources to promote their business and improve trade.
Biz4Afrika, which was first launched in South Africa in 2013, is a one-stop shop for information resources and business services for small and medium enterprises.
Country manager of Microsoft Kenya, Kunle Awosika said the SME sector is important to boost intra-African trade.
According to the African Development Bank currently, intra-Africa trade is only at 12% compared to 61% within the European Union.
However, the International Data Corporation predicts that 2015 will see closer intra-Africa trade facilitated by ICT initiatives such as payment systems, financial inclusion initiatives, and cross-border payments.
"East Africa has already been cited by Harvard University as having surpassed the tipping point from primarily exporting raw materials to creating and exporting value-added goods and services. The continued shift from a labour-based economy to a knowledge economy will require increased online presence, particularly by SMEs who contribute about 45% of Kenya's GDP," Awosika said.
"The Biz4Afrika.co.ke online hub aims to meet the needs of every Start-up, Small Business and Medium-sized enterprise at three entry points: the start, growth and acceleration phase, by aggregating freemium offers and relevant online services, complimented by valuable information, resources and learnings in one place," he added.
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