Trade Kenya

The Africa Women in Trade Forum 2026 concluded on a high note with a colourful gala dinner and awards ceremony celebrating the achievements, leadership and contributions of women in advancing trade and economic development across the African continent. The event was graced by Her Excellency Amb. Dr. Ida Betty Odinga, EGH, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations Office at Nairobi and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). In her keynote address, Amb. Dr. Ida underscored the importance of empowering women-led enterprises emphasizing on grassroot inclusion of women in policy formation programs. Further, Amb. Ida highlighted the need for peer empowerment and mentorship programs for the upcoming entrepreneurs. Speaking at the event, the Principal Secretary for Trade, Regina Ombam, joined other distinguished guests in celebrating the achievements of women entrepreneurs and trade leaders, reaffirming the importance of creating an enabling environment for women-led businesses to thrive and access opportunities across the continent. The gala dinner provided an opportunity to recognise and celebrate outstanding women who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation and impact in various sectors of trade and economic enterprise. Awards were presented across several categories to honour women whose contributions continue to shape Africa’s trade landscape. The Best African Woman in International Trade award went to Lucia Namubiru from Uganda, who also serves as President of the Organisation of Women in International Trade (OWIT), Uganda Chapter. The recognition celebrated her leadership and contribution to promoting women's participation in international trade. The gala dinner brought together Chief Executive Officers of Government agencies, women leaders, entrepreneurs and traders from across Africa, senior Government officials and other stakeholders in the trade ecosystem. The four-day Forum provided a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, networking and business linkages which will address barriers facing women in trade while unlocking opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The Warehouse Receipt System (WRS) enables farmers and traders to store and grade agricultural produce and use it as collateral to access financing. Strengthening the system will help reduce post-harvest losses, improve farmers’ earnings and promote reliable, competitive commodity markets. Speaking at the Inaugural Regional Forum on Structured Trading Systems today in Nairobi Principal Secretary for Trade Regina Ombam emphasized the need to harmonize warehouse receipt systems, standards and regulations across the EAC, COMESA and AfCFTA to facilitate cross-border trade. PS Ombam called for stronger regional cooperation to unlock cross-border commodity trade and reaffirmed the State Department’s commitment to strengthening the WRS to expand access to finance, promote structured commodity trading and deepen regional market integration.@wrscke @komex_kenya @EAGrainCouncil

As Kenya prepares for elections, trade remains a key driver of economic growth, creating opportunities for enterprise growth, employment, market expansion, industrial development and regional integration. A peaceful electoral process and a stable business environment help businesses plan, invest, access markets and continue creating jobs. Speaking on behalf of the Principal Secretary for Trade at the National Business and Elections Continuity Forum today,Deputy Director of Trade Symon Chelelgo underscored the need to safeguard business continuity and minimise disruptions to economic activity during the electoral period. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining a stable, predictable and competitive business environment that supports investment, trade and enterprise development even as the country prepares for the next General Election. The forum, convened by @KAS_Kenya and @kenya_chamber brought together government,electoral institutions,political stakeholders and businesses to identify risks, strengthen coordination and promote peaceful elections and business continuity.@IEBCKenya

The Trade and Private Sector Development Joint Sector Working Group (JSWG) today adopted its Terms of Reference in a meeting convened by the State Department for Trade. The framework will strengthen coordination, improve policy alignment and bring together government, development partners, civil society, academia, and the private sector to support Kenya’s trade agenda. The JSWG seeks to coordinate support for trade facilitation, investment, industry reforms and expanded market access boosting Kenya’s competitiveness. Principal Secretary for Trade Regina Ombam while chairing the meeting highlighted the importance of a well-coordinated JSWG in mobilising resources,strengthening coordination and aligning projects with government priorities. The meeting was attended by representatives from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Development Partners, Civil Society Organisations, Academia and the Private Sector. @KAM_Kenya @ODP_KEofficial @EUinKenya @UNIDO_Kenya @giz_gmbh @WorldBankKenya @KenyattaUni @FCDOGovUK @AGRA_Africa @CanHCKenya

The second day of the Africa Women in Trade Forum (AWTF) 2026 focused on practical strategies to help women-led enterprises access markets, secure financing and expand cross-border trade. The Business Summit explored how the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) can translate into tangible opportunities for women entrepreneurs through improved market access, reliable trade information, stronger business networks and institutional support. Principal Secretary for Trade, Regina A. Ombam, emphasised the importance of strengthening intra-African trade, noting that “Inclusive trade outcomes are not incidental; they must be intentionally engineered.” A subsequent roundtable examined export readiness, product standards, regulatory compliance and cross-border trade procedures, highlighting the need to bridge the gap between government policies and the practical realities faced by businesses entering new markets. The discussions underscored the importance of coordinated efforts to remove barriers to trade and enable women-led enterprises to contribute more effectively to Africa’s economic transformation. Further, during the plenary discussions, the importance of accessible information, coordinated institutional support and business-friendly systems that enable women entrepreneurs to participate more effectively in regional and international trade was emphasized. Representing the Chief Guest, Kenya’s First Lady, Her Excellency Rachael Ruto, Joyful Woman Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Elizabeth Koskei, challenged stakeholders to prioritise measurable results, particularly in business growth and job creation. Present at the forum was Ms.Regina Mwikali, Chairperson of Maendeleo ya Wanawake, representatives of government agencies, development partners, financial institutions, traders from across Africa and officials from the State Department for Trade.

The State Department for Trade, in collaboration with the Organisation of Women in International Trade (OWIT) Kenya and OWIT Africa, today hosted the Youth Summit as part of the Africa Women in Trade Forum 2026, focusing on empowering young people to tap into emerging trade opportunities across the continent. Held under the theme “Accelerating Women-Led Trade for Africa’s Economic Transformation,” the Youth Summit brought together young leaders, youth entrepreneurs, policymakers and key players in the trade ecosystem to explore opportunities for youth participation in regional and international trade. The summit provided a platform for young people to engage on opportunities available under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), digital trade, business financing and market access, while highlighting the role of youth in driving innovation, entrepreneurship and Africa’s economic transformation. Speaking at the event, the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy, Fikirini Jacobs, who was the Chief Guest, commended Principal Secretary for Trade Regina Ombam for championing youth participation in cross-border trade. PS Jacobs noted that the Government was leveraging the energy, creativity and agility of young people to shape the future of Africa’s trade agenda, emphasising the importance of equipping them with the knowledge, skills and opportunities necessary to compete in regional and international markets. He further observed that young women and persons with disabilities were increasingly venturing into entrepreneurship, contributing to inclusive economic growth and broadening participation in business and trade. Present at the event was PS Regina Ombam hosting the forum that is scheduled to continue until 30th October 2026 in Nairobi.

The 26th East African Community (EAC) MSME Trade Fair is set to take place in Kigali, Rwanda, from 30th October to 8th November 2026, providing a regional platform for Kenyan Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to showcase their entrepreneurial talent, locally made products and innovations. Ahead of the fair, Principal Secretary for Trade Regina Ombam paid a courtesy call on the Principal Secretary for MSMEs @SusanAMangeni to discuss Kenya’s participation and strategies to maximise the opportunities presented by the regional event. The discussions focused on expanding market access for Kenyan MSMEs, increasing intra-regional trade, and connecting local enterprises to new markets and value chains across East Africa. The delegation will also explore opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to position Kenyan businesses for wider continental trade.

The State Department for Trade, in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney-General, has concluded a joint consultative workshop to review the Draft National Trade Development Bill, 2025. The two day workshop held in Nairobi provided a platform to review key provisions of the bill,strengthen its legal drafting, align it with the constitution and existing laws and ensure it provides a clear and practical framework for promoting, regulating and developing trade in Kenya. The bill aims to strengthen both domestic and export markets while enhancing coordination among national and county governments, the private sector and other stakeholders. Once finalised, the bill is expected to provide an enabling environment for trade development, support businesses, particularly Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and enhance Kenya’s competitiveness in regional and international markets. The exercise was led by the Acting Secretary for Trade Michael Mandu and the Director of Domestic Trade Rose Masita.@AGOfficeKenya

As part of the events leading up to the 25th COMESA Summit in Harare, Zimbabwe, Principal Secretary for Trade Regina Ombam, delivered remarks on behalf of the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry (MITI), during the COMESA Green Industries Connect held at the Harare International Conference Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe. The forum focused on advancing sustainable industrialisation and regional value chain development across three strategic sectors: leather and textiles, plastics and packaging, and electronics and e-waste. In her remarks, the Principal Secretary called upon COMESA Member States to address persistent challenges affecting the leather value chain, including raw material quality, inadequate tannery capacity and limited access to finance. She underscored the significant potential of the regional leather industry to produce up to 450 million pairs of shoes annually and support approximately 450,000 jobs, as outlined in the COMESA Leather Regional Value Chain Strategy. She also highlighted Kenya’s experience in promoting circularity, citing the 2017 ban on plastic carrier bags and the subsequent enactment of the Sustainable Waste Management Act, 2022, which embeds circular economy principles in Kenya’s legal framework. #COMESA #COMESASummit #GreenIndustries #CircularEconomy @MakeItKenya