NAIROBI, Kenya- Nairobi is buzzing with energy as the 8th edition of the Agro-Food Pack exhibition continues, bringing together over 200 exhibitors from Africa, Asia, and Europe.
This event has become a key platform for showcasing innovations in the agro-food and packaging industries, drawing attention to the critical role of manufacturing in driving economic growth.
During the event, Antony Mwangi, CEO of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), delivered a message that underscored the urgency of scaling up Kenya’s manufacturing sector.
Currently, manufacturing contributes 7.6pc to the country’s GDP and has created over 360,000 jobs, contributing 18pc to the national tax revenue.
However, Mwangi highlighted the need to boost this figure to 20pc by 2030 to accommodate the over one million people who enter the job market each year.
“The growth from 7.6pc to 20pc by 2030 is not just a target; it’s a necessity,” Mwangi stated. “Failing to meet this goal could lead to a severe job crisis and underperformance of the economy.”
His remarks echo the sentiment of many in the industry who see manufacturing as a cornerstone of Kenya’s future economic stability.
Exhibitors and stakeholders at the expo also voiced the need for a robust industrial policy to help the manufacturing sector recover from recent challenges, including the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and evolving financial regulations.
These factors have created a complex environment for manufacturers, making it difficult to achieve the desired growth.
Mwangi and other industry leaders are calling on the government to implement policies that will not only stabilize the sector but also spur innovation and competitiveness.
“We need a forward-thinking industrial policy that addresses current challenges while positioning Kenya as a leader in manufacturing on the continent,” Mwangi emphasized.
The Agro-Food Pack exhibition serves as a testament to the potential that lies within Kenya’s manufacturing sector.
With participants from three continents, the event offers a unique opportunity for networking, knowledge exchange, and the exploration of new technologies that could drive the sector forward.
As the exhibition continues, the focus remains on creating a roadmap that will lead to sustainable growth, job creation, and economic resilience.
The stakes are high, but with the right strategies in place, Kenya’s manufacturing sector could well become the engine of economic transformation that the country needs.
