Nairobi, June 29 -- When discussions about industrialisation arise, attention quickly turns to industrial parks, multinational corporations and billion-shilling investments.

Yet this conventional picture overlooks a quieter reality unfolding across Kenya and much of Africa. Industrialisation is already taking place. It simply does not look the way many policymakers imagine.

Across Eastleigh, Gikomba, Kariobangi, Kamukunji and countless market centres, thousands of small enterprises are producing clothing, furniture, metal products, beauty products and food items. Most operate outside formal industrial policy frameworks, but together they constitute an important part of the continent's productive economy.

These enterprises are not merel...