The 24th East African Community (EAC) Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Trade Fair is currently underway at Freedom Square in Juba, South Sudan. This year’s fair, themed “Promotion of Unique Innovations and Skills Development Amongst EAC MSMEs,” has drawn together 1,500 MSMEs from the eight EAC partner states: Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The event aims to foster regional integration and strengthen intra-regional trade.
Speaking during the official opening ceremony, the Chief Guest Vice President of South Sudan for the Economic Cluster, H.E. Dr. James Wani Igga, noted that the trade fair provides a platform for policymakers, development partners, investors, and MSMEs in EAC to forge innovative approaches as the region strives to strengthen linkages between regional and continental markets.
Vice President of South Sudan for the Economic Cluster, H.E. Dr. James Wani Igga cuts the ceremonial ribbon signifying the official opening of the trade fair in the presence of the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development Dr. Wycliffe A. Oparanya, EGH, Cabinet Secretary Ministry of EAC, ASALs and Regional Development Hon. Beatrice Askul, South Sudan’s Minister of Trade and Industry Hon. Amb. Joseph Majak, Principal Secretary State Department for MSMEs Hon. Susan Mang’eni, Ambassador of Kenya to South Sudan H.E Jeremy Nyamaso Ndola among other dignitaries
Vice President Dr. James Wani Igga urged MSMEs to take advantage of the fair to form business partnerships and take advantage of investment opportunities in South Sudan and tap into emerging export prospects in the country and the broader central and North Africa. Later, he visited the Kenya pavilion where he commended the delegation for leading the region in facilitating regional trade.
Since its inception, this 10-day annual event has provided a valuable platform for fostering business partnerships and unlocking investment opportunities within the EAC region. It also aims to leverage the larger African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) market, which encompasses over 1.4 billion people and boasts a GDP of over US$3.5 trillion. The fair rotates annually among EAC partner states under the coordination of the EAC Secretariat.
This year’s trade fair features exhibitions by MSMEs and partner states, showcasing a wide array of innovative products, cultural attractions, fashion, and music. Additionally, the event includes dedicated days for each country and public and private entities to highlight their unique innovations. A Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Government (B2G) platform is also set up to facilitate policy dialogues and business exchanges. Kenya’s participation in the fair is led by the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority.
The official opening was attended by Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development Dr. Wycliffe A. Oparanya, EGH accompanied by Cabinet Secretary Ministry of EAC, ASALs and Regional Development Hon. Beatrice Askul, Principal Secretary State Department for MSMEs Hon. Susan Mang’eni, Ambassador of Kenya to South Sudan H.E Jeremy Nyamaso Ndola among other dignitaries from EAC partner states.
Highlights from the official opening
