The Export Business Incubation Programme

The EPZ Export Business Incubation programme is an initiative of the Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) to nurture small exporters into medium/large exporting enterprises within 4 years. The EPZ business incubation programme will be actually accelerating growth of export oriented businesses rather than incubating start-up businesses. Small enterprises selected to participate in this export business incubation programme will be benefit from; EPZ tax incentives, new purpose built infrastructure for this initiative at the Athi River EPZ and business development support services available under this programme.

             Tax Incentives

·  10-year Corporate Tax Holiday and 25% tax hereafter

·  10 year Withholding Tax Holiday on Remittance of Dividends

·  Duty and VAT Exemption on raw materials, machinery and other inputs

·  Stamp Duty Exemption

·  100% Investment Deduction on capital expenditure within 20 years

             Infrastructure Available

·         Office space available for lease ranging from 23 sqm to 44 sqm

·         Work spaces/ production areas ranging from 220 sqm to 550 sqm.

             Business Development Support Services

The business development support services will be provided to the small exporting enterprises in collaboration with other public and private sector institutions / organizations including NGOs in their respective areas of specialization, such as:

a)    Export marketing

b)    Export logistics and customs management

c)     Product design & development

d)    Business planning and management

e)    Financing for small enterprises

f)     Organizational development

g)    Quality Management  

h)    Technology sourcing and application

             Selection Criteria for EPZ Business Incubator Companies

The export business accelerator programme enterprises will be selected against the following criteria:

a)    Operate in the target sectors (horticultural/food processing, commercial crafts, textiles & apparels, information technology)

b)    Are a  new version of existing business

c)     Have demonstrated business management and entrepreneurial acumen

d)    Are in a sector/product line demonstrated to have high growth potential in export market

e)    Will have an 80% export oriented business within 4 years of residence in the business incubation programme.

f)     Have work space requirements consistent with the EPZ Export business Acceleration facility (available space 200 sqm to 550 sqm)

g)    Plan to graduate from the incubator after a maximum of 4 years of residence at the Export Business Acceleration programme. 

h)    Are prepared to accept the rules and business development support services of the Export Acceleration programme.

i)      Have some substantial  resources of their own (e.g. equipment, technology licenses,  unique brand, marketing  supply contracts, etc)

j)     Projected capital investment for the project will be under Ksh40 million

k)    Plan to have a labor force of no more than 100 workers.

l)      Will have more than 75% local Kenyan shareholding

If you have any enquiries, please get in touch with Peter Wainaina, Tel: 045-26421/2-6, or Email: pwainaina@epzakenya.com

To view the Promotion Flyer For Export Business Acceleration Program