President William Ruto has said at least 2 million Kenyans are religious borrowers of the Hustler Fund.

Speaking in Nairobi on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, during the 25th East African Community (EAC) Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Trade Fair at Uhuru Gardens, Ruto highlighted the success of the fund.

“To expand financial inclusion, we launched the Financial Inclusion Fund, popularly known as the Hustler Fund, which has so far disbursed Ksh8B to many Kenyans since 2022,” he said.

“The fund has provided dignified credit to those previously excluded from formal lending. In 2022, we had 7 million Kenyans, 3 million of them being from MSMEs. They were completely locked out of economic space.”

“We took firm positions and negotiated with CRBs and redeemed the 7 million Kenyans.

“Today we have 2 million Kenyans who borrow religiously from the Hustler Fund,” the President said.

Also watch: CS Oparanya warns Kenyans over unpaid Hustler Fund Loans.

He also took to his Facebook page to underscore the government’s continued support for small businesses.

“We are supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises by expanding access to affordable credit and financing.

“The Hustler Fund, for example, has disbursed over Ksh80B to 26.7 million people since 2022, offering dignified credit to those previously excluded from formal finance,” President Ruto wrote.

Through the NYOTA programme, the government is empowering 110,000 young entrepreneurs with training, mentorship, and start-up grants to drive innovation and job creation.

Ruto also highlighted investments in value addition and agro-processing through County Aggregation and Industrial Parks in all 47 counties, as well as developing special economic zones in Busia-Nasewa, Naivasha, Eldoret, Kirinyaga, and Dongo Kundu to attract investment and boost industrialisation.

Kenya leads in trade

Ruto praised the sector for driving the economy, creating jobs, and building wealth for Kenyans.

He welcomed the International Trade Organisation’s decision to set up its regional hub in Nairobi, affirming Kenya’s leadership in trade and investment.

The 25th EAC MSMEs Trade Fair brought together entrepreneurs, investors, and government officials to showcase products, explore partnerships, and promote regional trade.

The President urged more Kenyans to take advantage of the Hustler Fund to expand businesses and contribute to the country’s economic growth.