Nairobi will in September welcome the 8th edition of the Kenya International Industrial Expo (KIIE), a three-day event running from September 4 to 6, 2025, at the Sarit Expo Centre.
The exhibition will feature over 200 global exhibitors, the majority from China, and is projected to draw more than 6,000 trade visitors, investors, and business leaders.
The annual event is organised by Afripeak Expo Kenya Ltd, in collaboration with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) and the Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest). This year’s theme, “Investing in Tomorrow – Trading for Prosperity,” reflects the focus on innovation-driven industrial growth.
Participants will explore opportunities across a wide range of sectors, including construction, machinery and manufacturing, energy and renewable technologies, ICT, transport and automotive, textiles, and modern agricultural equipment.
According to Afripeak Expo Kenya Ltd managing director Gao Wei, the event is not just an exhibition but “a space for forging partnerships, exchanging knowledge, and accelerating industrial transformation.”
KNCCI president Dr. Erick Rutto reiterated that strengthening Kenya’s industrial base is vital for sustainable development. He noted that manufacturing currently accounts for only 7.6% of Kenya’s GDP, well below the 15% target, yet “every 1% increase in industrial output can generate about 200,000 direct and indirect jobs across value chains.”
The expo also comes on the back of expanding Kenya-China trade relations, which exceeded $8 billion (about KSh 1.03 trillion) in 2024. China remains Kenya’s top supplier of industrial machinery, electronics, and construction materials. The fair will build on this momentum by enabling direct business linkages and access to cost-friendly, advanced technologies.
The expo is designed to complement the country’s Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) by promoting:
- Technology transfer and upskilling
- SME growth through B2B connections and financing opportunities
- Access to international markets for Kenyan enterprises
- Environmentally sustainable industrial practices
Kenya’s strategic position, skilled labour force, and membership in both the EAC and AfCFTA make it an entry point to the continent’s 1.3 billion-strong market. The expo reinforces this role by attracting regional buyers, distributors, policymakers, and innovators.
The event will also host policy forums and trade dialogues, offering participants first-hand exposure to industrial solutions designed for Africa’s unique needs.
“Our ambition is to make the Kenya International Industrial Expo the continent’s leading hub where global innovation meets African opportunity,” said Gao.
