A mixed methods assessment of technical and financial assistance to small- and medium-sized enterprises in Kenya's food sector

Abstract

We study the impact of providing consulting services and major capital infusions to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the food sector in Kenya. We exploit a quasi-experimental design that matches treated firms with comparable firms that applied for the same support but were just short of scoring sufficient points to receive this support. Using mixed methods, this quantitative analysis is supplemented by in-depth qualitative interviews, which provide further insights into the workings of the program. The program helped SMEs launch new products and increased numbers of employees. Interviewees described higher sales resulting from the major capital infusions they received.