Kenya, with a population of about 30 million, faces many challenges. Their slow econoimc progess has not been helped by the political breakdown between the Kenyan government and the World Bank and IMF, which led to the suspension of general-purpose multilateral aid in the late 1990's.

With an average GNI of $360, Kenya is not the poorest African country. Yet the economy has stagnated, and although the population growth rate has dropped by 25% in recent years, new job growth is simply not keeping up.

One way to help Kenyans fund their ever-increasing financial burdens is to liberate them from the limited "formal" employment market. By providing self-employment opportunities, well-designed products can capitalize on Kenya's strengths and help build the country.