Nairobi is hosting the inaugural World Chambers Federation (WCF) Africa Summit on 9th and 10th April 2025 in Nairobi. The summit, which brings together delegates from over 70 countries, is a collaboration between the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), the World Chambers Federation (WCF), and Absa Bank Kenya.
This landmark event, organized under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework, aims to promote economic growth, innovation, and collaboration across the continent. Themed “Africa’s Global Future: Integrated, Innovative, and Sustainable,” the summit will focus on the digital transformation of trade, particularly through innovations like artificial intelligence. It will also tackle the integration of sustainability into trade and investment discussions, emphasizing green growth, climate-friendly business practices, and inclusivity for women and youth in commerce.
During the opening ceremony, President William Ruto underscored the pivotal role Chambers of Commerce play in advancing trade integration, particularly within Africa. “Chambers of Commerce are indispensable because they bring a proactive, solution-oriented perspective.
The KNCCI and WCF serve as vital bridges between government and enterprise, helping businesses navigate risks, unlock opportunities, and expand into global markets. In Kenya, we fully embraced this transformation, and in 2022, 41 percent of our exports were destined for African countries,” said President Ruto.
Absa Bank Kenya’s Business Banking Director, Elizabeth Wasunna, highlighted the importance of the summit as a forum for aligning strategies to unlock Africa’s economic potential. “This forum gathers the right people, including government leaders, business leaders, and policymakers, to align on strategies that unlock Africa’s full economic potential. At Absa, we focus on providing frameworks to support SMEs, including women, for growth across Africa and globally,” Wasunna added.
KNCCI President Erick Rutto pointed out the financial gap Africa faces and the role of Chambers in bridging this divide. “Africa faces a USD 100 billion annual financial gap for infrastructure development. As Chambers of Commerce, our role is to create trusted networks enabling trade despite logistical challenges and provide business intelligence to help MSMEs trade across Africa and globally,” said Rutto.
The two-day summit will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, and networking sessions designed to shape the continent’s economic transformation, driving Africa towards a new era of growth and prosperity