Kenya’s 7th Changamka Kenya Shopping Festival launched with a powerful call to action from the Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry, Salim Mvurya. Speaking at the event held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC), the Cabinet Secretary urged Kenyans to embrace and buy locally manufactured goods, emphasizing that this could lead to job creation, national economic growth, and enhanced wealth within communities.
The Changamka Kenya Shopping Festival, organized by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) in collaboration with the Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry, provides a platform for over 200 exhibitors, including more than 100 manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), to showcase the best of Kenyan craftsmanship and innovation. Aligned with Kenya’s “Buy Kenya, Build Kenya” initiative, the event represents an essential part of the country’s broader strategy to strengthen local manufacturing and position Kenya as an industrial leader in Africa.
Supporting the Buy Kenya, Build Kenya Strategy
The Changamka Kenya Shopping Festival is a celebration of Kenyan-made products, aligned with the Buy Kenya, Build Kenya strategy. The initiative underscores the significance of local manufacturing in propelling Kenya’s economic growth by fostering job creation and local wealth generation. The Cabinet Secretary highlighted the critical role of manufacturing in building resilience and supporting the broader economy, saying, “By empowering local manufacturers and the entire value chain, the government is committed to enabling policies that foster quality product innovation.”
The festival, showcasing Kenyan-made products at discounted prices, is designed to attract a broad spectrum of consumers, from everyday shoppers to large institutional buyers, allowing them to experience the high quality of Kenyan products firsthand. Beyond its commercial objectives, the festival fosters a national culture of pride in local goods and advocates for Kenyans to choose these products over imported ones, a decision that can have a ripple effect on employment and economic stability in the country.
Changamka Festival: Bringing Together Industry and Policy Makers
This year’s Changamka Festival is taking place alongside the Kenya Industrialization Conference, which begins on November 6. The conference will bring together key stakeholders, including government officials, industry leaders, and academic experts, to discuss the future of manufacturing in Kenya and across Africa. This year’s theme, “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Green Industrialization to Accelerate Africa’s Structural Transformation,” underlines the importance of technology and sustainability in transforming Africa’s manufacturing sector.
British High Commissioner to Kenya, Neil Wigan, reiterated the UK’s support for Kenya’s sustainable development, saying, “The UK and Kenya, as part of our long-term partnership, are working together to provide long-term investment solutions to drive economic growth and create jobs. Our Manufacturing Africa and Sustainable Urban Economic Development programmes are supporting business growth and adding value to Kenya products before they leave Kenya; our mobilisation of climate finance is securing investments that tackle climate change.”
Bridging Perception and Quality: Showcasing Kenyan Excellence
A longstanding challenge in Kenya’s manufacturing industry has been the perception that locally made products are inferior to imports. KAM has made it its mission to challenge and change this perception through initiatives like the Changamka Festival, showcasing that Kenyan-made products are just as competitive in quality, durability, and innovation. By presenting these goods directly to consumers, the festival aims to bridge this perception gap and encourage more Kenyans to buy local.
KAM’s Vice Chair, Hitesh Mediratta, pointed out the role of the Changamka Festival in boosting the local economy and enabling market access for Kenyan manufacturers. “At the heart of KAM’s mission lies the Buy Kenya, Build Kenya initiative,” Mediratta said. “Every Kenyan-made product purchased helps create jobs, drives innovation, and strengthens the foundation of our domestic economy.”
Promoting SMEs and Expanding Market Reach
With over 100 manufacturing SMEs represented at this year’s festival, Changamka offers these businesses a vital opportunity to connect with customers, retailers, and even export partners. KAM’s Acting CEO Tobias Alando noted that the festival plays a critical role in showcasing products that embody world-class standards, enhancing Kenya’s reputation as a manufacturing hub and supporting the growth of SMEs.
“Through the Changamka Festival, we are positioning Kenya’s manufacturing sector on the global stage,” Alando remarked. “This year’s festival not only celebrates the exceptional quality, innovation, and diversity of Kenyan-made products but also reaffirms our commitment to supporting SMEs as they expand their reach across local, regional, and international markets.”
By showcasing a range of products that reflect both innovation and quality, the festival helps Kenyan manufacturers access regional and global markets. The Changamka Festival’s alignment with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) provides additional visibility for local manufacturers, enabling them to tap into a wider audience beyond Kenya’s borders.
Stimulating Economic Growth and Reducing the Import Dependency
Kenya imports a significant amount of goods annually, which has contributed to trade imbalances and limited job opportunities for Kenyans. Encouraging a culture of local consumption can help reduce dependency on imports, and in turn, help address issues such as unemployment and currency depreciation.
Through the Changamka Festival, KAM hopes to reinforce the message that each Kenyan-made product purchased has a direct impact on job creation, economic resilience, and innovation. Local manufacturers also benefit from increased visibility and customer trust as they work to match international standards.
Policy Support and Institutional Backing for Local Manufacturers
The government’s role in facilitating the growth of local manufacturing cannot be understated. Recent policies encouraging local procurement, improving infrastructure, and providing tax incentives for manufacturers underscore the commitment to supporting the industry. The Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry has been instrumental in fostering a conducive environment for manufacturers to grow and compete on the global stage.
The Changamka Festival is supported by a number of institutional and private sector partners, including the British High Commission, TradeMark Africa, Stanbic Bank, Kenya Breweries Limited, AfreximBank, United Nations Industrial Development Organization, Ecobank, and Amonex. These partnerships signal a united front to promote local industries and create a favorable landscape for Kenyan businesses to thrive.
Future Prospects for Kenya’s Manufacturing Sector
Looking ahead, Kenya’s manufacturing industry is poised for growth, especially as it integrates more advanced technologies and sustainable practices. The theme of this year’s Kenya Industrialization Conference highlights the role of AI and green industrialization in reshaping African economies. With these innovations, Kenya can optimize its manufacturing processes, reduce costs, and enhance competitiveness, all of which are essential for a robust local industry.
British High Commissioner Neil Wigan noted that sustainable growth is at the heart of the UK-Kenya partnership, particularly in areas like climate finance and manufacturing. The partnership aims to add value to Kenyan products and create jobs, all while fostering an environment that addresses climate change and encourages investment in sustainable practices.
The Changamka Festival and Kenya Industrialization Conference both serve as vital platforms for addressing the future of Kenyan manufacturing. With government and private sector support, Kenya has the potential to not only strengthen its local manufacturing sector but also position itself as a leader in sustainable and innovative industrialization on the African continent.
A Call to Action: Building Kenya’s Economic Future Together
The Changamka Kenya Shopping Festival isn’t just about shopping. It’s a call to action for all Kenyans to support the country’s economy by choosing locally made products. Each purchase contributes to job creation, economic resilience, and the overall prosperity of the nation. With a strong manufacturing sector, Kenya can reduce its dependency on imports, build a self-sustaining economy, and achieve a level of industrial growth that uplifts communities nationwide.
