Business Resilience in an Election Year

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Event name

Business Resilience in an Election Year

Theme or tagline

Keep your income and business steady through 2027

Event date

Thu, 27 May 2027 · 2:00–3:30 pm EAT

Venue

Online, hosted on Karibu by Cara

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About the event

Purpose of the event

To help small businesses, freelancers and gig workers in Kenya and across Africa protect their income and keep operating through the 2027 election year, by connecting them with banks, SACCOs, insurers, development partners, corporate buyers and business advisers. The session is non-partisan and practical, and turns the conversation into real introductions.

Objectives

1. Show practical ways to protect cash flow when corporate, donor and government spending slows: reserves, credit lines, invoice terms and cost control. 2. Help businesses diversify clients, markets and income, including online and cross-border work. 3. Explain risk tools that keep a business running: business-interruption and stock insurance, contingency planning, and staff and supplier communication. 4. Connect SMEs and gig workers with lenders, insurers, buyers and support programmes. 5. Advance SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Background

In past election years, many Kenyan businesses have seen contracts delayed, budgets frozen and customers holding back spending for months before and after the vote. Small businesses and gig workers who depend on a few corporate or donor clients are hit hardest. Planning early makes the difference. This session brings the people who need that support and the people who provide it into one room.

Expected outcomes

Consented matchmaking introductions between SMEs, freelancers, gig workers, lenders, insurers, corporate buyers and support programmes, sent within five working days; a practical checklist for keeping a business steady through the election period; and a recording and short summary shared with every registrant.

Target audience

Small and medium businesses, freelancers and gig workers, event, media and creative suppliers, corporate procurement and CSR teams, banks and SACCOs, insurers, development partners, business associations and the public, in Kenya and across Africa.

Welcome message

Event highlights

Key themes

Protecting cash flow when clients pause spending; diversifying clients, markets and income; credit, savings and insurance for small businesses; contingency planning for staff, suppliers and operations; online and cross-border work as a buffer.

Networking opportunities

B2B matchmaking closes the session: tell us at registration whether you are a small business, freelancer, gig worker, lender, insurer, corporate buyer or support programme, and what you need or offer. With your consent, Karibu suggests introductions and sends them within five working days.

Exhibitions

Solution showcase: 3–4 lenders, insurers, buyers and business-support programmes present practical options for keeping a business steady through the election period.

Event programme

Panel discussions

Sponsors and partners

Brief acknowledgement

This session is made possible by partners who believe practical solutions should reach the people who need them.

Venue information

Venue overview

This is an online event. Confirmed delegates receive the joining link by email and on their Karibu pass. Please join a few minutes before 2:00 pm East Africa Time to test your audio and video.

Hall names

Online main stage

Networking information

Business matchmaking sessions

Every session closes with B2B matchmaking (3:20–3:30 pm EAT). At registration, tell us whether you are a small business, freelancer, gig worker, lender, SACCO, insurer, corporate buyer, development partner or member of the public, and what you need or offer. Publish your business profile in the Networking tab, browse the directory and request one-to-one meetings. With your consent, introductions are sent within five working days.

Important information

Registration desk hours

Registration is free and open on Karibu until the session starts. All times are East Africa Time (EAT, UTC+3).

Emergency contacts

Event support: events@cara.co.ke · +254 719 822 888

Accessibility information

Join from any phone, tablet or computer. The session is recorded, and the recording and a short summary are shared with all registrants afterwards.

Security guidelines

Your data is handled on Karibu by Cara, certified by Kenya's Office of the Data Protection Commissioner. Matchmaking introductions are made only with your consent. The conversation is moderated, respectful and non-political. Party-political content and campaigning are not permitted.

Event contacts

Secretariat office or organisation

Events by Cara

General phone numbers

Events by Cara: +254 719 822 888

General email address

General enquiries: events@cara.co.ke

Website

https://www.cara.co.ke