Kenya to Showcase Regional Innovation at 25th EAC MSME Expo in Nairobi.
Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Cooperatives & MSMEs Development Wycliffe Oparanya alongside Principal Secretary, State Department for MSMEs Development Susan Mang’eni during a media briefing at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi.
By Aoma Keziah,
Nairobi will play host to thousands of small business owners and innovators from across the East African region as Kenya prepares for the 25th East African Community (EAC) MSME Trade Fair. The ten-day event will run from 7th to 16th November 2025 at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi.
The fair, commonly known as the Jua Kali Nguvu Kazi Exhibition, will bring together more than 3,000 exhibitors from the eight EAC partner states. Participants will showcase products ranging from handmade crafts and clothing to processed foods, technology innovations, and creative art.
Speaking during the venue tour in Nairobi, Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSME Development Wycliffe Oparanya said the event offers a platform for regional entrepreneurs to connect, learn, and expand their markets beyond national borders.
“This year’s expo is special because it marks twenty-five years since the first EAC trade fair was held in Arusha, Tanzania. It’s a milestone that reflects how far we’ve come as a region and how innovation continues to drive our integration,” he said.
The Principal Secretary for MSME Development, Susan Mang’eni, echoed his remarks, noting that the fair aligns closely with Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which seeks to strengthen small enterprises and create employment opportunities.
“The MSME sector is the backbone of our economy. It employs over 70 percent of Kenyans, and this event gives our entrepreneurs visibility, mentorship, and access to new markets,” she said.
This year’s theme, “25 Years of EAC Integration: Advancing Innovation and Regional Value Chains for Competitive MSMEs Towards Sustainable Development,” highlights the region’s ambition to build stronger economic ties while promoting sustainability and inclusive growth.
The trade fair is expected to attract leaders, investors, and development partners from across Africa. President William Ruto will preside over the official opening on Monday, 10th November 2025, followed by a ministerial roundtable with representatives from the International Trade Centre (ITC), the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and various regional bodies.
One of the key highlights of the fair will be the official launch of ITC’s regional office in Nairobi, positioning Kenya as a continental hub for trade facilitation and enterprise development.
Organizers say the fair will also feature a Regional Symposium on Innovation and Value Chain Development, focusing on how MSMEs can scale up through technology, partnerships, and policy support. The event will serve as a call for EAC member states to fast-track the Common Market Protocol, which seeks to ease the movement of goods, services, and labour across the region.
“Beyond business, visitors will get a chance to experience Nairobi’s unique blend of culture and nature. The venue, located along Lang’ata Road, sits next to Nairobi National Park, the only wildlife park within a capital city. Guests are also being encouraged to explore Kenya’s scenic destinations—from the white sands of Diani to the serene lakes of the Rift Valley, all just a short flight from the capital,” added Oparanya.
As Kenya takes on the role of host under President Ruto’s chairmanship of the EAC Summit of Heads of State, officials say the event will underscore the country’s leadership in promoting regional cooperation and sustainable enterprise growth.
“This is not just an exhibition, it’s a celebration of East Africa’s creativity and resilience. We welcome our brothers and sisters from across the region to Nairobi as we continue building a prosperous and united East African Community,” Concluded Oparanya.
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