7th Changamka Festival to Highlight Kenyan Innovation and Sustainability in Manufacturing

The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), in partnership with the Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry, has announced the 7th edition of the Changamka Kenya Shopping Festival, set to take place from November 5th to 9th, 2024, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). This year’s festival, themed “Celebrating the Ingenuity of Kenya’s Manufacturing Sector,” will run concurrently with the Kenya Industrialization Conference as part of the Africa Industrialization Week.

The festival will feature over 200 exhibitors, including 100+ manufacturing SMEs, showcasing a wide range of locally produced goods. The event aligns with the Buy Kenya Build Kenya Strategy, aimed at promoting locally manufactured products to boost domestic and international demand. This initiative is central to both the Changamka Festival and the Kenya Industrialization Conference.

Speaking at the launch event, Dr. Juma Mukhwana, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Industry, emphasized the government’s focus on sustainable industrialization.

He remarked, “The Changamka Festival, now in its 7th edition coinciding with African Industrialization Week, celebrates Kenya’s manufacturing ingenuity by empowering local manufacturing and prioritizing sustainability. The integration of green industrialization reflects Kenya’s commitment to adopting global best practices that combine economic growth with environmental sustainability. The country is positioning itself as a leader in this space, leveraging both new technologies and sustainable methods to stay competitive in an increasingly eco-conscious global market.”

KAM Acting CEO, Tobias Alando, highlighted the festival’s role in enhancing global competitiveness for Kenyan manufacturers.

“The focus of the 7th Edition of the Changamka Festival is on enabling global competitiveness. We aim to showcase the high-quality, innovative, and diverse products that are manufactured in Kenya, for local, regional, and international markets, including over 100 SME manufacturers. The initiative aims to raise public awareness, support local industries, create job opportunities, and drive economic growth by enhancing homegrown demand for local products. Collaborations with our various partners are pivotal for the ‘Buy Kenya, Build Kenya’ initiative to enable industry growth and enhance employment opportunities,” Alando stated.

TradeMark Africa, represented by Acting Country Director Dr. Hannah Ngugi, emphasized their efforts to expand Kenya’s footprint in the African market.

“We are positioning Kenya as a key player in the African manufacturing space by expanding our African market access and exports. Through the Regional Economic Development for Investment and Trade (REDIT) Programme, funded by the British High Commission, we aim to integrate Kenya within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Ahead of the 7th Annual Kenya Manufacturing Summit and Expo 2024, we are excited to support 100 export-ready women- and youth-led SMEs in showcasing their products to over 25,000 local and international attendees,” said Dr. Ngugi.

Running alongside the Changamka Festival is the Industrialization Conference, a high-level forum that will bring together leaders from government, industry, and academia to discuss the future of manufacturing in Kenya and across Africa. This year’s conference will be centered on the theme, “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Green Industrialization to Accelerate Africa’s Structural Transformation,” focusing on the critical role of technology and sustainability in driving the continent’s industrial growth.

The 7th edition of the Changamka Kenya Shopping Festival is supported by TradeMark Africa through funding from the British High Commission, alongside other key partners including Stanbic Bank, Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL), AfreximBank, and Ecobank.

The event promises to be a pivotal platform for Kenya’s manufacturing sector, aiming to strengthen local industries, promote sustainable practices, and showcase the country’s innovative capabilities on a global stage.