Kenyan President William Ruto on Tuesday paid a visit to Rwanda’s exhibition booth during the official opening ceremony of the 25th East African Community (EAC) Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Trade Fair, currently taking place at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi.
The Head of State was warmly received by Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Kenya, H.E. Ernest Rwamucyo, who briefed him on the wide range of innovative products being showcased by Rwandan entrepreneurs.
Rwanda’s Strong Presence at the Fair
Rwanda is represented by around 100 exhibitors drawn from diverse sectors including agro-processing, handcrafts, leather, textiles, and herbal products. These enterprises are among the most dynamic contributors to Rwanda’s growing export base and regional trade presence.
📰 Also Read This:
Speaking at the event, High Commissioner Rwamucyo highlighted Rwanda’s commitment to supporting its MSMEs as engines of innovation, employment, and cross-border cooperation within the East African region.
“Rwanda’s participation in this fair demonstrates our strong belief in regional integration and the capacity of small businesses to drive inclusive growth,” he said.
A Platform for Regional Growth
The ten-day trade fair, which runs until Sunday, November 16, 2025, brings together over 3,000 MSMEs from across the EAC region including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Somalia under the theme “Connecting EAC SMEs to Global Value Chains through Innovation, Technology, and Green Growth.”
Organized by the EAC Secretariat in collaboration with the Kenya Ministry of Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, the event provides a platform for entrepreneurs to:
- Explore new market opportunities,
- Exchange emerging technologies and business models, and
- Strengthen regional economic integration.
- Significance of Rwanda’s Participation
Rwanda’s vibrant participation at this year’s fair reflects the country’s sustained efforts to empower small-scale producers through capacity building, export facilitation, and market linkages.
The showcased products illustrate Rwanda’s growing emphasis on quality craftsmanship, sustainable production, and creative industries that embody both cultural identity and economic value.
For many exhibitors, the fair is more than a showcase it’s a gateway to partnerships, business-to-business networking, and visibility across the EAC and beyond.
Regional Collaboration in Focus
President Ruto’s visit to the Rwandan booth underscored the importance of regional cooperation and mutual support among EAC partner states. The Kenyan leader has consistently emphasized the need to strengthen intra-African trade, promote homegrown industries, and reduce barriers that limit cross-border entrepreneurship.
As East Africa continues to move toward deeper economic integration and a unified market of over 300 million consumers, the MSME sector remains a cornerstone of that vision powering innovation, creating jobs, and fostering sustainable development.
