- Susan Mang’eni urges African countries to boost intra-continental trade and reduce reliance on external markets.
- Trade Roots Africa seeks to connect Kenyan MSMEs with buyers and business opportunities across Africa.
- Kenyan enterprises prepare to showcase products and pursue partnerships at the upcoming EAC MSME Trade Fair in Kigali.
Principal Secretary (PS) for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development Susan Mang’eni has called on African countries to strengthen intra-continental trade. She said the continent’s vast population presents a major opportunity for businesses to expand beyond domestic markets.
Mang’eni said Africa’s population of approximately 1.6 billion people offers a huge market for locally manufactured goods and services. She urged countries to complement one another’s production capacities and competitive advantages instead of relying heavily on markets outside the continent.
Speaking during the Kenya activation and stakeholder launch of Trade Roots Africa at the Africa Commerce and Industry Summit (ACIS) 2026 in Nairobi, the PS said stronger regional partnerships would help African enterprises secure sustainable markets. They would also increase their participation in cross-border trade.
Mang’eni urged neighbouring countries to strengthen partnerships by complementing one another’s competitive advantages and production capacities.
Trade Roots Africa is an initiative aimed at connecting Kenyan MSMEs to markets across Africa. It helps businesses identify opportunities beyond Kenya and establish lasting commercial relationships across the continent.
The programme aligns with the State Department for MSMEs Development’s mandate to expand market access for small businesses at local, regional and international levels.
Mang’eni said the initiative would support enterprises through six key pillars: export readiness, trade rules and compliance, trade finance, logistics and customs, digital trade, and mentorship and market acceleration.
She noted that expanding into regional markets requires more than producing goods. Businesses also need access to financing, reliable market information, relevant skills and knowledge of export requirements.
The PS said digital platforms could help overcome geographical barriers by connecting buyers and sellers across borders. Clustering MSMEs, she added, would enable small businesses to combine production, improve product quality and fulfil larger orders.
By aggregating their output, enterprises could achieve economies of scale. They would also be better positioned to compete for contracts that individual businesses might struggle to deliver.
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Mang’eni’s remarks come as Kenya prepares to participate in the 26th East African Community (EAC) MSME Trade Fair. It is scheduled to take place in Kigali, Rwanda, from October 30 to November 8, 2026.
The fair is expected to provide Kenyan enterprises with opportunities to showcase their products, establish business partnerships and access customers across the region. The EAC has identified leather and horticulture as the event’s priority value chains, while participation remains open to other sectors.
The regional event also provides a platform for businesses to strengthen value chains, promote locally produced goods and explore opportunities for trade and investment among partner states.
Mang’eni said Kenya’s preparations were aimed at ensuring that participating enterprises establish lasting business relationships and secure sustainable markets beyond individual exhibitions.
The Trade Roots Africa initiative brings renewed attention to the importance of market access in growing MSMEs. These businesses need opportunities to sell their products and scale operations to remain competitive.
Institutions supporting Kenya’s MSME development ecosystem include Kenya Industrial Estates, the Kenya Jobs and Economic Transformation Project, the Financial Inclusion Fund (Hustler Fund), the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority, the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Uwezo Fund.
Through stronger market linkages, improved access to finance and better trade support, the government aims to position Kenyan enterprises to take advantage of opportunities across East Africa and the wider African market.
By Lizzy Aluga
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