ITC and Equity Group Join Forces to Expand Trade Finance Across East Africa
From L-R: International Trade Centre (ITC) Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton and Equity Group Managing Director and CEO Dr James Mwangi during the signing of a memorandum of understanding between ITC and Equity Group Holdings PLC to advance inclusive and commercially sustainable economic development across East Africa, beginning with Kenya. The partnership will focus on strengthening the coffee, leather and creative industries by combining ITC’s global trade development expertise with Equity Group’s pan-African financial infrastructure and its Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan (ARRP).
Nairobi/Geneva, June 2, 2026 — The International Trade Centre (ITC) and Equity Group Holdings PLC have signed a new partnership agreement aimed at accelerating inclusive economic growth and expanding opportunities for small businesses across East Africa. Beginning in Kenya, the initiative will focus on three high-potential sectors: coffee, leather and creative industries, with plans for future expansion throughout the region.
The collaboration combines ITC’s expertise in global trade development with Equity Group’s extensive financial infrastructure and Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan (ARRP), a regional strategy designed to strengthen food production, manufacturing, technology, MSMEs and social impact investments. Equity Group currently operates banking subsidiaries across Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton emphasized that access to finance alone is not enough to help businesses grow. She noted that entrepreneurs also require practical knowledge and trade skills to maximize opportunities and compete in international markets. Through the partnership, businesses will gain both financial support and technical expertise needed to move higher in value chains.
Equity Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Dr. James Mwangi said the agreement reflects a shared vision of unlocking Africa’s economic potential by linking entrepreneurs, producers and creatives to regional and international markets. He explained that the initiative seeks to build stronger ecosystems for MSMEs through financial access, trade intelligence, market connections and skills development.
The partnership will first operate as a pilot programme in Kenya through December 2026 before expanding to other East African countries beginning in 2027.
Under the agreement, coffee producers will receive training on export logistics, specialty coffee processing, price risk management and quality improvement under the European Union-funded Market Access Upgrade Programme II. Support will also be provided to help businesses comply with European Union Deforestation Regulation requirements.
The leather and creative sectors will also receive targeted support through market development initiatives, digital commerce opportunities and customized financing solutions aimed at increasing competitiveness and long-term growth.
