NCBA Group has brought together more than 100 commercial and small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) banking customers from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda for a 12-day business immersion programme in China aimed at unlocking international trade and investment opportunities.
The NCBA China Market Linkages Programme, running from October 13 to 24, 2026, marks its 10th anniversary since its launch in 2016. This year’s edition has expanded into a regional platform connecting East African entrepreneurs with Chinese manufacturers, suppliers and technology providers.
The delegation has completed its Beijing engagements and moved to Guangzhou, where participants are expected to explore business opportunities through the Canton Fair and establish connections with potential trading partners.
In Beijing, participants toured the Great Wall of China and attended a welcome dinner hosted in the presence of Kenya’s Ambassador to China, Willy Bett.
The delegation also visited Beifang Automotive Education Group to explore automotive technology and technical training, the Temple of Heaven for cultural exchange, and SANY’s Nankou Industrial Park, where participants experienced machinery, engines and renewable energy solutions.
The engagements are designed to help East African businesses understand China’s manufacturing ecosystem, identify potential suppliers, strengthen supply chains and explore opportunities in digital commerce, electric mobility and clean energy.
Through the programme, NCBA aims to equip entrepreneurs with practical knowledge, international exposure and business relationships that can support expansion beyond their domestic markets.
The bank said the initiative reflects its commitment to supporting customers beyond conventional financing by connecting them with networks, knowledge and financial solutions needed to pursue international trade.
The Guangzhou leg is expected to provide further exposure to manufacturers and suppliers, giving participants opportunities to explore partnerships that could improve product sourcing, technology adoption and business competitiveness.
The programme comes as East African enterprises seek to diversify supply chains, access new markets and identify opportunities for growth through international commerce.
By connecting customers across four East African countries with China’s vast trading ecosystem, NCBA is positioning the initiative as a platform for regional business growth, cross-border collaboration and long-term commercial partnerships.