THE 25TH EAC MSMEs TRADE FAIR
His Excellency President William Ruto officially launched the 25th East African Community (EAC) Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Trade Fair at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi.
In his keynote address, the President reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to deepening regional integration and accelerating the growth of MSMEs as engines of inclusive and sustainable development across the East African region.
President Ruto emphasized that under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), MSMEs remain central to Kenya’s economic strategy, driving job creation, innovation, and equitable growth.
Highlighting BETA’s key pillars, the President noted that initiatives such as the Hustler Fund—which has disbursed over KES 80 billion since 2022—continue to expand financial inclusion by offering affordable and dignified credit of up to KES 150,000 to entrepreneurs nationwide.
He further outlined the government’s ongoing efforts to empower MSMEs through the establishment of County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs), the rollout of Common User Manufacturing Facilities, improved access to credit, and targeted grant programmes.
President Ruto also spotlighted the NYOTA Program, which targets 110,000 youth aged 18–29 years and persons with disabilities up to 35 years, ensuring at least 50% female participation. The initiative aims to create opportunities for more than 600,000 entrepreneurs through capacity building, mentorship, and access to public procurement.
Turning to opportunities within the Jua Kali sector, the President lauded the artisans’ growing role in the Affordable Housing Programme, which has allocated KES 15 billion for the manufacture and supply of locally made construction materials such as doors, windows, hinges, and fittings.
He also emphasized that the establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) will catalyze industrialization and expand intra-regional trade, while the domestication of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework across the EAC will enhance the participation of women and youth in cross-border commerce.
In a major milestone for regional cooperation, President Ruto announced the forthcoming establishment of the International Trade Centre (ITC) in Gigiri, Nairobi, symbolizing Kenya’s and the EAC’s shared vision of advancing trade, investment, and market access.
The President commended exhibitors from across the region for their innovation, creativity, and contribution to job creation, noting that the MSME sector remains a cornerstone of Kenya’s economic resilience and transformation.
During the event, President Ruto presented the Women in Trade Award to Elizabeth Ngina, Founder of Shalom Pride Collection Association, a registered MSME based in Umoja 1, Nairobi County. The association, comprising 35 members—80% women and 20% men—specializes in handcrafted products such as sisal baskets, handbags, flower vases, table mats, and home décor items made from banana fibre, raffia grass, recycled polythene, and fabric waste.
He also presented the Product of the Year Award to Daniel Okaka, another outstanding exhibitor at the Trade Fair.
Speaking during the launch, Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, Hon. Dr. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya, reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to enhancing MSME competitiveness through regional trade linkages, policy harmonization, and strengthened partnerships with county governments and development agencies to boost access to finance, technology, and markets.
The event reaffirmed the collective commitment of EAC Heads of State to advancing MSME development as a central pillar of regional economic transformation and integration.