EAC Integration

The 25th EAC MSMEs Trade Fair

Nairobi 2025: A United Market for a Stronger Africa

Location: Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi

From November 7th to 16th, 2025, Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi became the heartbeat of East African commerce. Bringing together 8 countries—Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, DRC, Somalia, and Burundi—the event was a masterclass in regional potential.

1. AfCFTA and the Promise of Free Movement

Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of AfCFTA, delivered a powerful message: "A borderless regional market is not just convenient, it is powerful."

Boost intra-African trade and reduce production costs.
Enable MSMEs to scale beyond local borders.
Strengthen bargaining power on the global stage.

2. Breaking Financial Barriers

President William Ruto addressed the hurdle of collateral that often locks out young entrepreneurs. He highlighted key initiatives aimed at financial inclusion:

        "We are building a more inclusive financial ecosystem where MSMEs can grow because of their ideas and potential, not just their assets."
    

Hustler Fund: Low-interest loans for the previously excluded.
NYOTA Program: New resources signed off specifically to support youth innovation.

3. Lessons in Discipline: Rwanda’s Umuganda

The fair highlighted Rwanda’s Umuganda tradition—community cleaning and development every last Saturday of the month. This culture of civic responsibility, combined with a strict no-roadside-vending policy, offers a powerful urban management model for the region.

4. Somalia: The New Frontier

As the newest EAC member, Somalia showcased its "virgin" investment landscape. Now on a path of recovery, the nation is open for business in fisheries, livestock, and technology, leveraging its strategic coastline and the Port of Mogadishu.