KISUMU, 11th Sept 2026 -Business leaders and government officials converged in Kisumu for the Nyanza International Business Forum, an investment and trade exhibition aimed at unlocking the Lake Region’s economic potential through regional integration and value addition.
Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) President Dr Eric Ruto said the forum brought together chamber leaders from Nairobi, Central Kenya and Lower Eastern to exchange business skills and create markets for Kisumu-produced goods.
“As the Kenya National Chambers of Commerce, this year we are celebrating 60 years of existence, and our role is to promote our members and businesses through linkages, networking and advisory to government,” Dr Eric said.
He noted that the chamber’s 47 county chapters are linked to 54 Pan-African chambers and 177 global chambers.
He cited the Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union signed in 2023 as a tariff-free, quota-free window into a 17-trillion-dollar market, alongside the African Growth and Opportunity Act and newly effected zero tariffs on Chinese exports.
“We are urging the people of Kisumu to do value addition so that we can create more markets internationally,” he said, adding that Kenyan leather products are now exported to China through the chamber’s Dubai and China offices.
Principal Secretary for Trade and Industry Regina Ombam described the roundtable as timely, noting that the global trading landscape has shifted.
She said the forum aligned with the Kenya Kwanza administration’s export-led economic transformation agenda.
“I’m a very happy person because I have been in a session where we have seen the interaction between national government, county government and the private sector sitting down to rethink trade and investment,” Ombam said.
She cited the revival of Kisumu Port, the upgrade of Kisumu International Airport and Northern Corridor road improvements as infrastructure unlocking markets up to South Sudan, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Ombam emphasised value addition over raw exports, urging farmers to understand market standards to avoid rejected consignments.
“We must ensure everything is to standard. The information we give our people is full information so that they understand what the market is asking for,” she said.
She also pointed to the creative, sporting and medical economies as emerging drivers in the region.
