NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 26 – Kenya will host the 8th edition of the Kenya International Industrial Expo (KIIE) from September 4–6, 2025, at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi, bringing together global manufacturers, suppliers, and investors in a bid to accelerate industrial growth.
The three-day exhibition will feature more than 200 international exhibitors, largely from China, and is expected to attract over 6,000 business visitors and trade delegates.
Key sectors represented will include construction, energy, green technologies, transport, ICT, textiles, machinery, and agriculture.
Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) President Erick Rutto underscored the need to prioritize industrialization in Kenya’s economic strategy.
“Industrial growth must be at the very heart of our agenda. It is the engine that drives job creation, enhances productivity, and fosters innovation,” he said.
“Manufacturing today contributes just 7.6 per cent to our GDP, far below the target of 15 per cent. But the opportunity before us is immense. A 1 per cent increase in manufacturing output generates at least 200,000 jobs directly and indirectly across value chains.”
The expo comes amid strengthening Kenya–China trade relations, with bilateral trade reaching USD 8 billion in 2024. China remains Kenya’s largest source of imports, particularly in industrial machinery, electronics, and building materials.
Organizers say the event will provide a platform for technology transfer, SME growth, and expanded access to global markets.
Kenya’s strategic location and access to the East African Community and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) position the country as a gateway to Africa’s 1.3 billion-person market.
Over the past decade, KIIE has evolved into a hub for African businesses and international suppliers. This year’s edition will feature high-level trade forums, business-to-business matchmaking, and live demonstrations of industrial technologies tailored for African markets.
