KNCCI seeks bigger returns from growing China trade
The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry said stronger business links between Kenyan and Chinese companies could help local enterprises access new markets and attract investment and technology.
Kenya is striving to enhance the economic gains from its burgeoning trade ties with China by fostering more involvement of local firms in manufacturing, distribution, exports, and regional value chains, according to the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI). Strengthening business relationships between Kenyan and Chinese entities could enable local enterprises to tap into new markets, attract investments, and acquire advanced technology, KNCCI National Director Ken Onditi emphasized.
Onditi underscored the critical role of business platforms connecting manufacturers, exporters, distributors, investors, and buyers in fostering sustainable economic prospects. He pointed out that such platforms have transitioned from being optional to being indispensable for sustained economic development. Onditi further stressed that enhanced business-to-business partnerships could assist Kenyan companies in accessing novel markets and bolstering Kenya’s standing as a regional hub for trade and investment.
This initiative coincides with Kenya's endeavors to boost exports and lure investments that bolster local production, amid a trade relationship with China that has traditionally been import-centric. Zhang Ming, General Manager of Afripeak Expo Kenya, highlighted the importance of international exhibitions in generating tangible business outcomes, such as orders, distribution agreements, and enduring collaborations.
He noted that Chinese firms could leverage Kenya as a gateway to explore investment prospects and gain a deeper understanding of African consumer preferences. During the inauguration of the 2026 East Africa (Kenya) Fashion Life Show at the Sarit Expo Centre, Zhang indicated that the third edition of the exhibition had drawn nearly 100 Chinese companies from Hunan, Zhejiang, Shandong, and Anhui, alongside approximately 20 Kenyan firms.
These exhibitors were presenting textiles and apparel, footwear, accessories, beauty products, home appliances, consumer electronics, packaging, and various consumer goods. Business matchmaking sessions were also arranged around watches and clocks, home appliances, and consumer electronics, facilitating connections between Chinese manufacturers and Kenyan importers, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers.
Additionally, the exhibition aimed to bridge the gap between Kenyan fashion designers and international suppliers of fabrics, accessories, and manufacturing inputs. For Kenya, the emphasis is gradually shifting from consuming imported Chinese goods to ensuring that local businesses assume more pivotal roles, such as suppliers, distributors, manufacturers, and exporters within the expanding China-Africa trade nexus.
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