26/09/2026
Building better products starts with understanding the standards behind them.
The Cube Innovation Hub, in partnership with the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and under the GTA SME Loop Programme, supported by GIZ, IYBA-SEED and SlovakAid, is taking MSME entrepreneurs in Uasin Gishu County through a Product Certification Programme. The cohort brings together entrepreneurs from Cosmetics & Personal Care, Agribusiness/Food Processing & Value Addition, and Manufacturing, including businesses working in skincare, peanut butter, honey, textiles and other value-added products. The training is designed to help entrepreneurs move beyond simply creating products and understand the quality, safety, regulatory and market standards required to build credible and competitive businesses.
During the first two days of the training, participants explored the practical foundations of product certification and conformity assessment. The sessions covered baseline assessment and goal-setting, certification systems, financial planning, standards interpretation, licensing, Quality Management Systems (QMS), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), record-keeping, document control and risk management. The entrepreneurs also had an opportunity for direct engagement with Mr. Richard Muchina, KEBS North Rift Regional Officer, who joined the training to respond to questions and provide practical insights into certification requirements and the role of regulatory institutions.
For MSMEs, certification is not simply about meeting a regulatory requirement. It can be an important step towards strengthening quality, building consumer confidence, improving market access and positioning businesses for sustainable growth. Through programmes such as this, The Cube Innovation Hub continues to create opportunities for entrepreneurs to access knowledge, technical expertise, partnerships and practical support as they work towards building stronger, compliant and market ready enterprises. As Phase One comes to a close, the journey continues from understanding the standards to putting that knowledge into practice.