The Future Of Entrepreneurship In Kenya.

“Professionals are choosing freelance jobs so as to gain more control over their lives”, those are the words of Robert, a Nairobi based businessman and technology enthusiast.

I watched a middle-aged woman walk her daughter downstairs for Karate classes and for a moment I thought to myself, `kids nowadays are such a complete pack of skills`.

From my encounters with kids including my niece Zasha, I could only notice how busy kids have become nowadays; attending Karate classes after school, just graduated from French and German classes, starting some classes I can`t quite remember the name, can already play piano, must have perfected the ballet moves by the end of the week. The kid also has a guitar tutor tonight and must present the report papers from school to their waiting parents in the sitting room who expect excellent grades in Mathematics and Science.

Like damn, I got tired just thinking of all the things Zasha and the likes have done before retiring to bed. Honestly though I wished I was able to dance ballet for I could never take my eyes off that little one when here ballet spirit was lit.

I was awakened from my consuming thoughts by a loud argument from the very well dressed classy mother and daughter who by then stood facing each other. I was about to raise my hand to signal them to keep their voices down; like some of us are here trying to figure life out my friend, but looking back today am glad I didn`t or this article would not have been written.

“What is it this time mum, you found something else to keep me occupied? Huh” went the outspoken daughter.

“I want to make you a better person, so when you grow up, you will be an independent woman just like your mama.” her mother responded.

The outspoken daughter apparently knew what she wanted with her own life and here it was;

“I don’t want to be like you, I want to have a husband and time for my kids. All you care about is your office!”

Goodness! wished I could just disappear into thin air at the thought of how horrible but probably true those words were to her mother.

My drive home was a pensive one. We live in a world where the cost of living goes up each day, one has to work very hard and make that extra penny every single day. One has to meet deadlines and work under so much pressure and we only realize how we have neglected our most basic and important family roles when the pot has cracked. I thought `maybe Robert was right, maybe freelancing is the way to go. Maybe freelancing is the way to achieve a balanced life and social freedom.

And better yet, maybe business is the magic that solves it all. With these key reforms the Kenyan government has implemented in the areas of starting a business and getting connected to electricity, registering property and getting credit, there are numerous improvements in Kenya`s business sector. Moreover, the government recognizes the role of the private sector shaping regulations and as a beneficiary in ensuring proper implementation of and compliance to regulations leading to more sustainable reforms.

Just how bright is the future of business in Kenya! Having a market-based economy, Kenya is generally considered the economic, commercial and logistics hub of east Africa. With comprehensive air routes, strategic location status as a regional financial Centre and strength of human resources which includes well-educated English speaking, and multilingual professionals and a strong entrepreneurial tradition, Kenya has succeeded in inviting foreign companies especially U.S companies. Kenya is definitely the hub for both foreign and local investments.

The Kenyan government has and is increasingly making efforts to promote both local and foreign direct investments (FDIs). The government has made various moves to improve business; a move to simplify business licenses, efforts to amend the Companies Act, the enactment of the Investment promotion Act (2004) and the preparation of the sessional paper No.2 of 2005 on `development of micro and small enterprises for wealth and employment creation for poverty Reduction` introduces new opportunities for indigenous Kenyan entrepreneurs.

The world bank, in its latest analysis of Africa`s economic trends, says the region will face more decelerated expansion even as it recorded the lowest GDP growth in the past six years.

“The overall growth is projected to pick up in 2017-2018 to 4.5per cent. Delays in implementing adjustments to the drop in commodity export and worsening drought conditions present risk to Africa`s growth prospects,” the World Bank reports.

The World Bank singled out Kenya among the few bright spots where the growth continued to be robust in 2015, having been among the key recipients of oil price decline dividend.

More and more people practice business alongside their profession while others have become purely businessmen; that the versatility business achieves. Growth of infrastructure is also another major contribution to business growth.

Kenya is in record of mobile money transfer inverter and many other upcoming inventions definitely harbor a better business future for Kenya. Needless to say that Information Technology (IT) has and continues to be such an immense contributor to the business sector of Kenya.

In addition, with improved education more people are able learn and manage their businesses with skill and information.

Business opportunities are increasing in the country every single day; from real estate, online marketing, etc. Technology has made it all; easier and better. Maybe the next step many of us need to take is to just dare to take risks, dare to try new things.

Most importantly, work towards gaining freedom over your own life and securing your future.