Kenya to Host 25th EAC MSME Trade Fair Celebrating 25 Years of Regional Integration and Innovation.
By Peace Muthoka.
Nairobi, Kenya —Kenya is set to host the 25th East African Community (EAC) Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Trade Fair from Friday, November 7 to Sunday, November 16, 2025, at Uhuru Gardens, Lang’ata Road, Nairobi.
This year’s milestone event, themed “25 Years of EAC Integration: Advancing Innovation and Regional Value Chains for Competitive MSMEs Towards Sustainable Development,” celebrates a quarter-century of East African economic cooperation and creativity among the region’s entrepreneurs.
More than 3,000 exhibitors from the eight EAC Partner States Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Somalia are expected to showcase a wide range of products and services reflecting the region’s innovation, diversity, and cultural richness.
The Silver Jubilee edition marks a historic moment in the EAC’s journey, tracing its roots back to November 1999, when the first MSME Trade Fair was held in Arusha, Tanzania, following the signing of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Over the years, the fair has grown into the region’s largest platform for innovators, artisans, and entrepreneurs to connect, collaborate, and scale their businesses across borders.
This year’s event holds special significance as it coincides with the tenure of President William Ruto as the Chairperson of the Summit of EAC Heads of State, reinforcing Kenya’s leadership in promoting regional integration and economic transformation.
During the fair, the International Trade Centre (ITC) will officially launch its new regional office in Nairobi, positioning Kenya as a strategic hub for continental trade facilitation and MSME growth. The move further cements Nairobi’s status as a gateway for regional and international business.
A high-level opening ceremony led by President Ruto will be held on Monday, November 10, followed by a ministerial roundtable with the ITC, EAC ministers, and key development partners. Discussions will focus on strengthening MSMEs through innovation, addressing Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs), and advancing the implementation of the East Africa Market Protocol to enable free movement of goods, services, and capital across the region.
A Regional Symposium on Innovation, Integration, and Value-Chain Development will also take place to explore strategies for enhancing MSME competitiveness, promoting youth entrepreneurship, and empowering women-led enterprises.
The MSME sector remains central to Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, providing over 70 percent of employment nationwide and serving as a key driver of inclusive growth and industrialization.
Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSME Development, Dr. Wycliffe Oparanya, extended a warm invitation to all EAC Partner States, urging exhibitors to seize the opportunity to build partnerships, explore export markets, and contribute to a united and prosperous East Africa.
“Let us use this platform to unlock the full potential of regional integration, harness the energy of our entrepreneurs, and reaffirm our shared commitment to a prosperous, inclusive, and united East African Community,” said Dr. Oparanya.
Visitors attending the fair will also have a chance to experience Kenya’s renowned hospitality and tourism attractions from Nairobi National Park, located minutes away from the venue, to the coastal beaches and scenic national parks spread across the country.
