Cooperatives and MSMEs Development Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya has unveiled the National Organising Committee (NOC) for the 25th East African Community (EAC) Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Trade Fair, which will take place in Nairobi in November.
Oparanya highlighted that this year’s fair will centre on four key pillars for MSME growth: access to finance, access to markets, digital transformation, and green financing. These focus areas aim to bolster MSME resilience and competitiveness whilе creating opportunities for collaboration.
Kenya is hosting the trade fair for the seventh time, and this coincides with the tenure of President William Ruto, as the chair of the EAC Summit.
The Fair, which will take place from November 1-10, has, over the years, evolved into a major regional platform for innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic transformation.
MSME Development Principal Secretary Susan Mangeni assured the MSME sector that the fair will be an opportunity to attract investors, establish trade linkages to access regional markets in the East African region.
On her part Trade Principal Secretary Regina Akoth Ombam emphasised the role that MSMEs have in the economic transformation of Kenya, to create jobs for youth and advance the manufacturing sector.
Prof Abdulrazak Shaukat, the Principal Secretary, State Department for Science, Research and Innovation, emphasised the role of Science, Research and Innovation plays a critical role in the MSME sector, calling for closer collaboration and building synergies to support innovations and funding for commercialisation.
Richard Muteti, the Regional Project Manager for the EAC MSME Trade Fairs, reflected on the long-standing success of the Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi initiative, with Kenya consistently setting the standard in manufacturing and innovative enterprise support. The President of Kenya remains the patron of this initiative, demonstrating the highest level of national commitment.
