By Maurice Momanyi
Kenya has commenced preparations for its participation in the 26th East African Community (EAC) Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Trade Fair, scheduled to take place in Kigali, Rwanda, from October 30 to November 8, 2026.
The preparations gained momentum following the commissioning of a multi-sectoral National Organising Committee by Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and MSME Development, Dr Wycliffe Oparanya.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Oparanya said Kenya’s preparations should go beyond showcasing products at the exhibition and focus on positioning local MSMEs to secure business linkages, access new markets and establish sustainable partnerships across the region.
Principal Secretary in the State Department for MSME Development, Susan Mang’eni, said the EAC market offers significant growth opportunities for Kenyan enterprises, given its population of approximately 331 million people and a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of about USD356 billion.
She noted that the size of the regional market provides Kenyan MSMEs with an opportunity to expand beyond the domestic market, participate in regional value chains and ultimately gain access to global markets.
“The EAC market provides a real opportunity for our MSMEs to scale their enterprises, access new customers and integrate into regional and global value chains. Our participation in Kigali must therefore translate into sustainable business opportunities beyond the trade fair,” said Mang’eni.
Meanwhile, Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA) Board Chairman James Mureu stressed that access to markets is critical to the growth of enterprises, creation of jobs and increased productive investment in the MSME sector.
The National Organising Committee will oversee preparations in key areas, including trade and market access, logistics, immigration and border facilitation, product development and standards, investment promotion, marketing, technology, private-sector engagement and diplomatic relations.
Kenya will also host Kenya Day on November 5, 2026, providing an opportunity to showcase the country’s MSMEs, investment opportunities, innovations and development priorities.
The event is also expected to strengthen diplomatic, trade and business relations between Kenya and other EAC Partner States.
Kenya’s participation in the trade fair forms part of the Government’s broader strategy to expand market access for MSMEs, strengthen regional value chains, promote value addition and enable Kenyan businesses to tap into opportunities within the EAC and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which has a market of about 1.3 billion people.
