Kenya Unveils National Committee to Host 25th EAC MSMEs Trade Fair in Nairobi
Cabinet Secretary for MSMEs Wycliffe Oparanya,PS Susan Mang’eni with other stakeholders pose for a photo during the unveiling of National Organising Committee for the 25th East African Community (EAC) MSMEs Exhibition and Trade Fair photo:/Dan Kamau -KNA
The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) today officially launched the National Organising Committee for the 25th East African Community (EAC) MSMEs Exhibition and Trade Fair, scheduled to take place in Nairobi in November.
The event, which will bring together entrepreneurs, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the East African region, aims to spotlight the vibrant MSME sector, strengthen regional integration, and unlock cross-border trade opportunities.
Presiding over the launch, Cabinet Secretary for MSMEs Wycliffe Oparanya emphasized the strategic importance of the sector in transforming Kenya’s economy. He underscored the need to document the progress made since the inception of the annual trade fair in 1999, noting that Kenya has an opportunity to refocus and harness the potential of MSMEs more effectively.
“MSMEs are one of the five key pillars of economic transformation in this country. We must invest in them not just with infrastructure, but through access to finance, markets, and digital tools,” said Oparanya.
The CS outlined four priority areas the ministry will focus on: financing, market access, digital transformation, and climate-resilient business models.
He acknowledged the challenges MSMEs face, including high interest rates, taxation pressures, and delayed payments, and expressed optimism over the introduction of a government credit guarantee scheme to de-risk lending to small businesses.
He also called for collaboration with academia and international partners, citing examples from Germany, India, and Brazil, where MSMEs thrive due to supportive policies and prompt government payments.
The exhibition, which will feature regional and global participants, will begin with a two-day forum focusing on shared challenges, best practices, and actionable outcomes. The President of Kenya, who is the event’s patron, is expected to officiate the opening ceremony.
Oparanya urged all relevant ministries and agencies including Interior, Treasury, Foreign Affairs, and the EAC Ministry to fully support the initiative. “Kenya has long been a leader in this space, but other nations are catching up. We must now work harder to maintain our lead,” he said.
The unveiling of the committee marks the start of an intensive national coordination effort to ensure the successful hosting of the trade fairs.
By Sharon Atieno
