(Nairobi) – Kenya’s biggest celebration of local industry, the Changamka Kenya Shopping Festival, has officially opened at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi. Running from November 5 to November 9, 2024, the festival is a collaborative effort between the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) and the Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry. The event’s theme, “Celebrating the Ingenuity of Kenya’s Manufacturing Sector,” reflects its purpose of highlighting Kenya’s industrial achievements and potential.
With over 200 exhibitors, including more than 100 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from Kenya’s manufacturing sector, the festival offers visitors the chance to explore and buy a variety of locally made products. The event also reinforces the “Buy Kenya, Build Kenya” strategy, aimed at boosting public support for local products. According to Tobias Alando, acting CEO of KAM, the festival not only showcases Kenya’s high-quality products but also focuses on raising awareness and driving growth for Kenyan brands on both local and global stages.
| Changamka Festival Overview | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi |
| Dates | November 5-9, 2024 |
| Theme | Celebrating the Ingenuity of Kenya’s Manufacturing Sector |
| Participants | Over 200 exhibitors, including 100+ SME manufacturers |
| Goal | Promote “Buy Kenya, Build Kenya” strategy, support local industries, create job opportunities |
The festival’s timing is particularly significant as it coincides with the Kenya Industrialization Conference, scheduled for November 6 to November 7. This overlap creates a unique platform for discussing the future of Kenya’s manufacturing sector and industrial development across the African continent.
Dr. Juma Mukhwana, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Industry, highlighted the government’s ambitious plans to grow the manufacturing sector’s GDP contribution from 7.6% to 15% by 2025. He noted that the adoption of green industrialization practices is a key aspect of Kenya’s approach, combining economic growth with environmental sustainability to position Kenya as a leader in eco-conscious manufacturing.
The Changamka Festival has received substantial backing from sponsors, including TradeMark Africa, Stanbic Bank, Kenya Breweries Limited, AfreximBank, and Ecobank. TradeMark Africa’s Acting Country Director, Dr. Hannah Ngugi, noted that the organization is supporting Kenya’s efforts to increase exports across the continent, especially within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). She explained that the Regional Economic Development for Investment and Trade (REDIT) Program, funded by the British High Commission, has helped prepare 100 export-ready women- and youth-led SMEs to participate in the festival, providing them with an opportunity to reach both local and international markets.