The 5th Kenya International Industrial Expo (KIIE) is scheduled to take place from the 3rd to 5th November, 2022 at the Sarit Expo Centre Nairobi. The three days event has been organized by Afripeak Expo Kenya Limited in partnership with Kenya National Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KNCCI) and Kenya Investment Authority under the theme, ‘Driving growth in Kenya’s manufacturing sector through technology and partnerships’

Data from the International Monetary Fund [IMF] predicts that despite the COVID-19 impact, Kenya’s economy is still expected to grow by 5.0 per cent in 2022 and it will maintain a 5.7 per cent growth in 2023.

According to Richard Ngatia- President of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, [KNCC&I ], the exhibition is expected to contribute to the Kenya government’s Big 4 Agenda by providing trade and technological exchange opportunities between Kenya and the world.

Mr Ngatia “Kenya Total exports to China grew by 37% from 2020 to 2021 due to increased demand of Kenyan Products (Ores and concentrates of base metals, Petroleum oils and oils, Vegetable textile fibers, Leather, manufactures of base metal, crude vegetable materials, tea and mate) also most of the exporters have been able to meet the standards. With now Kenyans exporting Avocado in 2022. We anticipate the total exports to increase by the end of 2022.”

The Expo comes at a time when the new administration’s economic blueprint is anchored on a Bottom-UP model to grow the country’s GDP.

Mr Gao Wei, Managing Director, Afripeak Expo Kenya Limited, hinted at the need to link local enterprises to better technology as a way of enhancing their productivity. “We recognize and pledge to support the current government’s Bottom-Up Economic Model offering a platform for both local and international business communities to share technological advancements and boost local production capability to match the international standards through a partnership with stakeholders.”

The 5th edition of the expo focuses on industrialization. The exhibition portfolio includes General Machinery, Construction Machinery, Hardware & Tools, Solar & New Energy products, Auto Parts, Chemical Products Medical Equipment, etc. In addition, according to our statistics, over the past four years, our exhibition has received more than 4,800 professionals and merchants from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and other countries, with a turnover of around $ 20 million. Based on these, we could foresee a greater performance this year.

The industrialization drive is taking the African continent by storm as most countries are scaling up growth to meet the African Union’s 2063 plan that is pegged on making the continent the manufacturing hub of the world.

Most African countries have inked more trade deals which are areas like infrastructural development and skills transfer.

“Kenya become an important participant of the Belt and Road Initiative and the gateway for Chinese enterprises to “Go into Africa”. Developing Manufacturing is also one of the Key Sectors in Kenya’s Vision 2030. China now is ready to help increase the added-value and competitiveness of Kenya Products and the objective of the expo is set to provide a unique platform to fulfil this goal.” comments Mr Pius Rotich,  Team leader of the Investment Promotion Department at the Kenya Investment Authority.

Mr Rotich also opines that the Kenya Kwanza team has settled on six core pillars, namely: Agriculture; Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) economy; Housing and Settlement; Healthcare; Digital superhighway and creative economy; Environment and climate change.

“The expo provides a unique platform for both government and private sectors from the two countries to cooperate on Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare and construction which are the key sectors of priority for the Kenya Government with great socio-economic impact to Kenya. This expo is coming in such a time when the government is working hard to revive businesses that had been affected by the pandemic & slowed down during electioneering period. This year, 22 Kenyan companies dealing in Tea, coffee, Avocados and flowers will exhibit and use this platform to look partners and new markets in China.” Mr Rotich reveals.

In comparison to the four previous editions of our exhibition, the 5th edition of the Kenya International Industrial expo is set to be bigger and better.

The show inclusive of the indoor and outdoor area covers 3121㎡, an increase of 20% compared to last year. Altogether, there will be 151 stands built for a total of 130 companies mainly from China and other countries who will showcase their products this year. As part of the dedicated effort to boost the local industries in support of the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Model of Kenya，

Mr Gao added that “This year the expo shall be remain a combination of both virtual and physical (Online +Offline) Hybrid Expo model. The foreign exhibitors will have local representatives at their respective stands. Trade visitors at Sarit Expo Centre will have a chance to see and interact with the products physically and have real time (live) discussions with the foreign exhibitors via virtual links for business deals and negotiations.”