Kenya’s biggest celebration of the local industry, the Changamka Kenya Shopping Festival is set to open its doors at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi. This highly anticipated event, running from November 5th to 9th, 2024, is a collaborative effort between the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) and the Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry.
Under the theme “Celebrating the Ingenuity of Kenya’s Manufacturing Sector,” the 7th edition of the festival is set to showcase the country’s industrial prowess. With over 200 exhibitors, including more than 100 manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs),there will be much opportunity to explore and purchase a wide array of locally manufactured goods, reinforcing the Buy Kenya Build Kenya Strategy. According to Tobias Alando, KAM acting CEO, the focus of the festival is on enabling global competitiveness of the Kenyan brand.
“We aim to showcase the high-quality, innovative, and diverse products that are manufactured in Kenya, for local, regional, and international markets, including over 100 SME manufacturers. The initiative aims to raise public awareness, support local industries, create job opportunities, and drive economic growth by enhancing homegrown demand for local products. Collaborations with our various partners are pivotal for the ‘Buy Kenya, Build Kenya’ initiative to enable industry growth and enhance employment opportunities,” he said.
With the industry’s contribution to the GDP currently at 7.6%, the government has ambitious plans to increase it to 15% by 2025. In fact, according to Dr. Juma Mukhwana, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Industry, the government is committed to sustainable industrialization.
“The integration of green industrialization reflects Kenya’s commitment to adopting global best practices that combine economic growth with environmental sustainability. The country is positioning itself as a leader in this space, leveraging both new technologies and sustainable methods to stay competitive in an increasingly eco-conscious global market,” said Dr. Juma Mukhwana.
The festival’s timing is particularly significant as it coincides with the Kenya Industrialization Conference, which is set to run from 6th to 7th November 2024. This synergy creates a powerful platform for discussing the future of manufacturing in Kenya and across the continent.
In addition, the African Industrialization Week, with the theme; Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Green Industrialization to Accelerate Africa’s Structural Transformation, is set to take place in Kampala, Uganda at the end of the month, from the 25th to 29th November 2024.
With the backing of sponsors such as TradeMark Africa, Stanbic Bank, Kenya Breweries Limited, AfreximBank, and Ecobank, the festival is poised to be a landmark event in Kenya’s economic calendar. Dr. Hannah Ngugi, Acting Country Director, TradeMark Africa, highlighted the efforts the organisation has secured to access for Kenyan exports to the African market.
“Through the Regional Economic Development for Investment and Trade (REDIT) Programme, funded by the British High Commission, we aim to integrate Kenya within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Ahead of the 7th Annual Kenya Manufacturing Summit and Expo 2024, we are excited to support 100 export-ready women- and youth-led SMEs in showcasing their products to over 25,000 local and international attendees,” she said.
The Changamka Kenya Shopping Festival stands as a beacon of Kenya’s manufacturing potential. It is more than just an exhibition; it’s a vibrant demonstration of Kenya’s journey towards industrial excellence and sustainable economic growth.
