Nairobi, October 15, 2024 – The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), in collaboration with the Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry, has announced the 7th edition of the Changamka Kenya Shopping Festival, scheduled for November 5-9, 2024. This year’s festival, themed “Celebrating the Ingenuity of Kenya’s Manufacturing Sector,” will take place at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) alongside the Kenya Industrialization Conference, coinciding with Africa Industrialization Week.
With over 200 exhibitors, including more than 100 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), the festival aims to highlight locally manufactured products, in line with the government’s Buy Kenya Build Kenya Strategy. The event will serve as a platform to promote public awareness, support local industries, and create job opportunities.
Dr. Juma Mukhwana, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Industry, emphasized the government’s commitment to sustainable industrialization, stating, “The Changamka Festival celebrates Kenya’s manufacturing ingenuity by empowering local manufacturing and prioritizing sustainability.” He noted the importance of integrating green practices into industrial growth to enhance Kenya’s competitiveness on a global scale.
KAM acting CEO Tobias Alando highlighted the festival’s focus on global competitiveness, aiming to showcase the diversity and quality of Kenyan products for local and international markets. He remarked, “Our collaborations are pivotal for the ‘Buy Kenya, Build Kenya’ initiative, which is essential for industry growth and employment opportunities.”
Dr. Hannah Ngugi, Acting Country Director at TradeMark Africa, underscored the organization’s efforts to enhance access for Kenyan exports within the African market. “We aim to position Kenya as a key player in the African manufacturing space by expanding market access through the Regional Economic Development for Investment and Trade (REDIT) Programme,” she said, noting support for 100 export-ready women- and youth-led SMEs at the festival.
The accompanying Industrialization Conference will gather leaders from government, industry, and academia to discuss the future of manufacturing in Kenya and Africa. This year’s theme, “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Green Industrialization to Accelerate Africa’s Structural Transformation,” will explore the intersection of technology and sustainability in driving industrial growth.
The Changamka Kenya Shopping Festival receives support from various partners, including TradeMark Africa, Stanbic Bank, Kenya Breweries Limited, AfreximBank, and Ecobank.
The event is anticipated to attract over 25,000 local and international attendees, providing a significant opportunity for showcasing the best of Kenyan manufacturing.