The 25th EAC MSME Expo has officially ended, with renewed calls for the MSME Sector in the region to be given the recognition and support it deserves, so it can take its rightful place in developing our regional economies.
Speaking during the official closing ceremony, the Chief Guest, Wycliffe Oparanya, the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, said that the East Africa region’s only hope of addressing youth unemployment is by embracing entrepreneurship and, most importantly, unlocking youth entrepreneurship.
The region continues to grow younger every day as the youth bulge becomes a dreadful reality, and all key actors and MSMEs must join forces in establishing a supportive ecosystem for MSMEs to thrive and achieve optimal performance.
Veronica Nduva, the Secretary General of the East African Community, commended the 25th EAC MSME Expo as a fulfillment of the dream of the Founding Fathers, thanking the Kenyan Government for organising the largest trade fair in the events 25 25-year history.
“The EAC Commission is committed to unlocking free market access for MSMES across EAC borders and actualising the benefits under the AFTCA that presents a combined market of 1.4 billion people and a USD 3 trillion GDP.” She said.
Adding that: “There is also an increase in the demand for authentic African Products, and the EAC will continuously look for ways to support innovation in the region.”
Susan Mang’eni, Principal Secretary, State Department for MSMEs Development, Kenya, reiterated the need for adjustment of the calendar of the MSME fair to be aligned with the Summit of heads of states in November to allow outcomes of the EAC MSME Summit to be presented at the head of the summit.
“I further urge the East African states to work together and expose our MSMES to more regional trade fairs to increase the volume of Intra-East African trade,” PS Mang’eni added.
