President Ruto pledged continued support for MSMEs, calling them the backbone of Kenya’s economy.
The 25th EAC MSMEs Trade Fair in Nairobi showcased innovation, regional integration, and opportunities for growth.
President William Ruto has reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), describing them as the “backbone of Kenya’s economic transformation and regional integration.”
Speaking during the official opening of the 25th East African Community MSMEs Trade Fair on November 11, 2025, at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, Ruto emphasized the pivotal role of small businesses in driving industrialization, innovation, and employment.
“This gathering is a compelling validation of micro, small, and medium enterprises as pillars of our economies, engines of job creation, and drivers of innovation,” he stated.
He noted that the government is actively working to dismantle barriers that prevent MSMEs from accessing markets, financing, and skills development. “To expand financial inclusion, we launched the Financial Inclusion Fund, popularly known as the Hustler Fund, which has so far disbursed 80 billion Kenyan shillings to millions of Kenyans since November 2022,” Ruto said.
The event which began on November 7 will run up to November 16, 2025. The theme is “25 Years of EAC Integration: Advancing Innovation and Regional Value Chains for Competitive MSMEs Toward Sustainable Development.”
The trade fair brings together over 3,000 exhibitors from all EAC Partner States, providing a vibrant platform for entrepreneurs to showcase, network and sell their products. Exhibitors from the eight EAC partner states — Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Somalia have showcased their innovations, ranging from handmade crafts and textiles to pure honey and tech-driven agricultural solutions.
President Ruto urged regional leaders to eliminate trade barriers and strengthen value chains that empower MSMEs to grow across borders. He emphasized that MSMEs should be at the heart of industrialization and regional prosperity.
Beyond the exhibitions, the fair symbolized the growing unity and integration of the East African Community. With the recent inclusion of the DRC and Somalia, the EAC now represents a market of millions and a combined GDP of approximately US$305 billion. This expansion offers MSMEs unprecedented opportunities to scale their businesses beyond national borders.
Ruto’s message was clear: small businesses must be empowered to access dignified financing, leverage digital tools, and operate in a barrier-free trade environment becoming engines of industrial growth and shared prosperity across East Africa.
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