President Ruto’s government is set to send 300 Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) to Burundi as part of an initiative to explore business opportunities and enhance trade relations within the East African Community (EAC). The announcement was made by Henry Rithaa, CEO of the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA), during a press briefing held at NSSF Building, Upper Hill, Nairobi.

The EAC MSMEs trade fair, which rotates among EAC partner states, will take place in Bujumbura, Burundi, from December 5 to 15, 2023. The event aims to expose Kenyan MSMEs to international markets, fostering growth and collaboration.

Cooperatives CS Simon Chelugui launched the National Organizing Committee for the trade fair and encouraged Kenyan SMEs to exploit business opportunities in Burundi, such as agro-processing, education, healthcare, finance, energy, manufacturing, and construction.

Chelugui emphasized that the recently expanded EAC, which now includes the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), enhances the market size to over 300 million people, the GDP to approximately US$250 billion, and the volume of goods traded between member partners. The EAC aims to promote regional manufacturing for export and foster intra-regional trade to reach at least 25% by 2032.

This trade fair provides an opportunity for Kenyan MSMEs to showcase their innovative products and services, strengthen diplomatic relations, and align with the government’s “Buy Kenya Build Kenya” economic strategy.

The MSEA is coordinating Kenya’s participation in the trade fair, which is expected to yield fruitful business outcomes and further collaborative partnerships.