Nairobi, June 24 -- Across Kenya, many SMEs face the same dilemma: grow quickly and risk losing control, or grow cautiously and miss opportunities. Yet for many businesses, the real obstacle to growth is not a lack of capital but a lack of capability.

For years, the debate around SMEs has centred on access to finance. However, many entrepreneurs miss growth opportunities because they lack the systems needed to manage expansion and demonstrate readiness. Poor record-keeping, weak governance, and limited reporting often prevent businesses from securing contracts, attracting investors, or accessing credit.

The most successful SMEs invest in systems not simply because banks demand them, but because strong systems provide visibility and cont...