NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya’s annual industrial expo with China is back, and it’s bigger than ever. This year, the event will feature 10 more booths than last year, a clear signal of the growing collaboration between the two nations.
Organized by Afripeak Expo Kenya, in partnership with the Kenya Investment Authority and the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), the expo aims to highlight the region’s evolving industrial sector and its potential on the global stage.
Gao Wei, Managing Director of Afripeak Expo Kenya, announced that the number of booths has increased from 20 to 30, allowing more Kenyan businesses to showcase their products to an international audience.
“The Expo has grown into a premier platform for industrial innovation, partnerships, and exploring new opportunities in Kenya and the wider East African region,” Gao explained.
The additional booth space will give local companies the chance to gain invaluable global exposure, fostering innovation and growth.
“We are optimizing the structure of the Expo to feature those who represent the best in industrial innovation and practices,” Gao added.
The expo also reflects Kenya’s deepening economic relationship with China. KNCCI President Erick Rutto highlighted that China is now Kenya’s largest trading partner, thanks to trade promotion agreements that have bolstered ties through investment, skill development, and networking programs.
In 2023, Kenya’s exports to China reached $227.69 million, while imports from China totaled a massive $3.2 billion. The growth in exports, which saw a 37pc increase from 2020 to 2021, has been driven by the rising demand for Kenyan products such as ores, petroleum oils, and tea.
Kenya’s key exports to China also include fruits, vegetables, macadamia nuts, and coffee, while imports primarily consist of electronics, machinery, and textiles.
The KNCCI, actively supporting the expo since 2020, has been working with Afripeak Expo Kenya to promote technology transfer and business development.
“Our efforts over the past six months have resulted in successful exports totaling approximately Ksh 300 million to China, spanning sectors like leather, skincare, coffee, and macadamia kernels,” Rutto revealed.
Looking ahead, Rutto sees Kenya as a strategic gateway to the African market and is encouraging Chinese businesses to seize this opportunity.
“There are significant opportunities in agriculture, ICT, construction, and energy. We are committed to welcoming Chinese companies to Kenya and promoting foreign direct investments,” he explained.
The expanded booth space at the expo is part of a larger effort to attract more professional and interested visitors, strengthening trade relations and supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“We aim to bridge the trade gap by expanding and diversifying the range of products we export to China,” Rutto added, signaling Kenya’s broader vision to enhance its international trade footprint.
