The second edition of the Kenya Industrialization Conference officially commenced on Tuesday 6th at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), uniting industry leaders, policymakers, innovators, and stakeholders from across Africa to advance the continent’s manufacturing and industrial future.
Organized by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) in collaboration with the Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry, the two-day event aims to position Kenya as a competitive global manufacturing hub through a focus on green industrialization and AI. This initiative coincides with African Industrialization Week and the week-long Chamgamka Festival.
Themed “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Green Industrialization to Accelerate Africa’s Structural Transformation,” the conference highlights how advanced technologies and sustainable practices can drive growth and innovation in Kenya’s manufacturing sector. Discussions and workshops focus on AI’s transformative role in industry, green manufacturing processes, and policy reforms to sustain industrial growth.
Prof. Erastus Gatebe, Kenya’s Industrialization Secretary, underlined the strategic importance of manufacturing for Kenya’s long-term economic goals, aiming to increase the sector’s GDP contribution from 7.6% to 20% by 2030. “With manufacturing at the heart of Kenya’s economic transformation, we are committed to strengthening this sector as a central pillar of national development,” said Prof. Gatebe.
KAM Vice Chairperson Hitesh Mediratta emphasized the importance of integrating AI and sustainable practices into Kenya’s manufacturing sector, saying, “Our aim is to make Kenya a leader in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. AI and green industrialization are not just tools; they are essential pathways for Kenya’s sustainable growth.”
Dr. Hannah Ngugi, Acting Country Director at Trademark Africa, spoke to the role of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in driving regional economic integration. “Through our partnership with KAM, Trademark Africa is dedicated to helping SMEs scale up, expand their reach, and access new opportunities,” she said, emphasizing support for export growth and product diversification.
Obinna Ejimofo, Senior Manager of Digital Business at Afreximbank, underscored the importance of cross-border trade, noting the launch of the Africa Trade Gateway, a digital platform aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). “This trusted, digitally supported environment not only enables seamless trade but also generates critical data to power AI-driven solutions tailored for Africa,” he explained.
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) also stressed the link between green industrialization and climate action. “Collaborating with the Kenyan government and global partners, we are driving energy efficiency and supporting SMEs with access to finance and training,” said UNIDO Country Representative Ms. Tally Einav.
The conference follows the start of the 7th Changamka Kenya Shopping Festival, which launched yesterday. This annual festival supports the Buy Kenya, Build Kenya initiative by showcasing locally manufactured products, encouraging consumers to support home-grown industries, and boosting the economy through increased local purchasing.
With the goal of transforming Kenya into a manufacturing hub for Africa, the Kenya Industrialization Conference reflects Kenya’s commitment to sustainable industrial growth and its ambition to lead in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The event brings together key stakeholders to collaborate on policies and strategies that will elevate Kenya and Africa’s position in global manufacturing.