Cooperatives and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya has reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening regional trade, youth innovation, and entrepreneurship for a more vibrant economy.
Speaking at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi ahead of the 25th East African Community (EAC) MSMEs Trade Fair, Oparanya emphasized that the fair aims to promote market access for small businesses and foster integration within East Africa.
EAC countries each have a specific day to showcase their products at the fair, with Somalia Day on November 9, 2025, while Kenya is set for November 10, 2025
“The Trade Fair starts tomorrow (November 9, 2025), when we have the Somali Day, and it will progress so the Kenya Day is on Monday, so I welcome Kenyans to make sure they are available on Monday and on Tuesday, it will be the East African Community Day, and that is the day His Excellency (President Ruto) will be here to officially open the trade fair,” said the CS.
Micro and Small Enterprises Authority Chairman James Mureu also commended the organization of the trade fairs and exhibitions and urged local entrepreneurs to think beyond borders and explore export markets.
“Stop thinking about our boundaries as what bounds you. Let’s look beyond here, because this morning there will be, by tomorrow morning, sandals that I picked from here and some dry foods that will be landing in the US,” Mureu said.
“It means there are a lot of business opportunities.”
Since its inception, the trade fair has brought together MSMEs from the East African Community’s partner states, now expanded to eight, to explore new markets, share emerging technologies, and deepen regional integration.
The inclusion of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Somalia into the EAC has significantly expanded the regional market to a population of 312 million people and a combined GDP of approximately US$305 billion (Sh40.26 trillion).
This growth provides renewed momentum for enhancing intra-EAC trade and strengthens the region’s position within the wider African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which connects a market of over 1.4 billion people and a GDP exceeding $3.5 trillion (Sh462 trillion).
The ten-day fair will offer MSMEs and investors an opportunity to build business partnerships, access investment opportunities, and showcase innovation across diverse sectors.
Key activities include exhibitions by MSMEs and partner states, country and thematic days highlighting innovations, cultural showcases, fashion, and music.
The event will also feature Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Government (B2G) forums for dialogue and collaboration between entrepreneurs, policymakers, and investors.
Kenya’s participation in the trade fair is being spearheaded by the State Department for MSMEs Development through the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA).
