Kenya is preparing to welcome the 8th edition of the Kenya International Industrial Expo (KIIE), which will run from September 4 to 6, 2025, at Nairobi’s Sarit Expo Centre.

The event is expected to draw more than 200 exhibitors from across the globe and attract over 6,000 business visitors and trade representatives.

The exhibition, which has become a major platform for industrial players in Africa, will showcase technologies and innovations across sectors such as construction, transport, green energy, agriculture, textiles, machinery, and ICT.

Many of the participating companies will be coming from China, underscoring the strong trade partnership between Nairobi and Beijing.

Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Erick Rutto said the country must urgently anchor its economic strategy on industrialisation.

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He explained, “Industrial growth must be at the very heart of our agenda. It is the engine that drives job creation, enhances productivity, and fosters innovation.”

Rutto pointed out that the sector has not yet reached its potential.

“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,” he said.

The backdrop to this year’s expo is Kenya’s rising imports from China, which hit Sh1.04 trillion in 2024.

Industrial machinery, electronics, and building materials remain the bulk of the inflows, strengthening China’s position as Kenya’s biggest trading partner.

According to the organisers, the exhibition will not only provide space for technology transfer and investment deals but also open opportunities for small and medium enterprises to tap into regional and global markets.

They noted that Kenya’s location, coupled with access to the East African Community and the African Continental Free Trade Area, makes it a natural gateway into Africa’s 1.3 billion-consumer market.

Over the years, KIIE has evolved from a niche exhibition to a major continental forum linking local entrepreneurs with international suppliers.

The 2025 edition will feature business-to-business engagements, sector forums, and live demonstrations of industrial technologies designed for African markets.

The Nairobi event is set to reinforce Kenya’s bid to expand its manufacturing base and build stronger value chains while giving investors and innovators a platform to collaborate on Africa’s industrial future.