Africa Trade Summit to Position Kenya as Gateway for Continental Investment and Commerce

Africa Trade Summit to Position Kenya as Gateway for Continental Investment and Commerce

Dr. Erick Rutto (centre), President of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, joins government and private sector leaders during the media launch of the Africa Commerce and Industry Summit in Nairobi ahead of the October continental trade and investment forum.

By Jeff Oyugi 

Nairobi - July 30, 2026

Kenya is set to host one of Africa's largest private sector trade gatherings in October as business leaders intensify efforts to unlock investment opportunities, expand intra-African trade and accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Speaking during the official media launch of the Africa Commerce and Industry Summit in Nairobi, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) President Dr. Erick Rutto said the three-day summit will bring together governments, business leaders, investors, manufacturers and development partners to strengthen trade and investment across the continent.

The summit, jointly organised by KNCCI and African chambers of commerce under the Pan-African Chambers of Commerce and Industry, will be held in Nairobi from October 14 to 16 and is expected to attract more than 300 exhibitors, over 5,000 professional delegates and participants from more than 50 countries.

Dr. Rutto said the conference is designed to provide a platform where policymakers and the private sector can jointly address barriers to trade while exploring new investment opportunities capable of transforming African economies.

He noted that the summit comes at a critical moment when African countries are working towards deepening economic integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area, which seeks to create a single market for goods and services across the continent.

According to Dr. Rutto, one of the key objectives of the forum is to increase intra-African trade, which currently stands at an average of about 15 percent, by promoting stronger commercial partnerships and improving market access among African nations.

He observed that the Guided Trade Initiative under AfCFTA has expanded significantly, with participating countries increasing from the initial eight to nearly 37, demonstrating growing commitment towards continental economic integration.

"The private sector has a central role to play in ensuring that Africa trades more with itself," he said, adding that the summit will provide an opportunity for businesses of all sizes to engage directly with governments and investors.

Dr. Rutto said the gathering will feature high-level policy discussions involving heads of state, senior government officials, captains of industry, multinational corporations, small and medium enterprises and international development partners.

Beyond business exhibitions, he said the conference will provide a platform for participants to exchange ideas on investment, industrialisation, innovation, trade financing and policy reforms necessary to make cross-border trade more efficient.

The summit has received support from the United Nations, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the AfCFTA Secretariat, which are expected to facilitate participation by governments, development agencies and non-state actors from across Africa.

Dr. Rutto said Kenya's strategic position as the commercial hub of East and Central Africa made it an ideal host for the continental event, adding that the summit marks the beginning of a broader initiative to rotate similar engagements across Africa.

He noted that KNCCI has expanded its international outreach through trade missions to countries including Zambia, Nigeria, Ghana and Mozambique, aimed at opening new export markets for Kenyan businesses and strengthening commercial ties across the continent.

The chamber, he said, is also engaging global chambers of commerce, with confirmations already received from chambers in South Africa and Tunisia, alongside several other African business organisations.

International chambers are also expected to participate following the success of last year's global chambers meeting, which brought together representatives from 63 chambers of commerce worldwide.

A major focus of this year's summit will be showcasing African-made products, emerging technologies and industrial innovations capable of enhancing the continent's competitiveness in global markets.

Dr. Rutto said discussions will also centre on improving logistics and transport systems to ease the movement of goods across African borders.

He proposed a seamless trading environment where products manufactured in Kenya could move to markets such as Ghana and Nigeria without unnecessary border delays, arguing that efficient transport networks are essential for unlocking the full potential of AfCFTA.

To address existing logistical bottlenecks, KNCCI has engaged regional and continental logistics companies to explore practical solutions that would lower transportation costs and improve connectivity between African markets.

The summit is also expected to facilitate approximately 100 business deals involving private sector players and investors seeking commercial partnerships across multiple sectors.

Dr. Rutto said several international investors have already expressed interest in participating in large-scale public-private partnership projects in Kenya, including investments in railway infrastructure, roads, seaports and agricultural modernisation.

He added that some investors are exploring opportunities to support regional export value chains capable of serving markets beyond Kenya, including Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda and Somalia.

Although he declined to disclose the event's budget or projected investment value, Dr. Rutto expressed confidence that the summit would generate business deals worth billions of shillings once negotiations are concluded.

He said detailed investment figures would be released closer to the event after ongoing investment pitches and commercial negotiations are finalised.

As part of celebrations marking KNCCI's 60th anniversary, the chamber will also recognise businesses that have significantly contributed to Kenya's economic growth over the past six decades.

The awards will honour excellence in policy advocacy, manufacturing, international trade, innovation and enterprise development following a nationwide series of regional business summits.

Dr. Rutto called on businesses across Kenya and the continent to participate in the summit, saying stronger collaboration between governments and the private sector will be critical in unlocking Africa's economic potential, driving industrial growth and positioning the continent as a competitive global trading bloc.