Prime Minister Dr Justin Nsengiyumva said small businesses create jobs and open opportunities for young people and women as he officially opened an East African Community (EAC) trade fair in Kigali.
He spoke at the Gikondo Expo Ground during the opening ceremony of the 26th EAC Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Trade Fair, according to remarks published by the Office of the Prime Minister. The exhibition began on October 30 and runs until November 8.
“Micro, small and medium enterprises are the backbone of our economies. They create jobs, drive innovation and open doors to opportunity, especially for women and young people, whose ambitions are growing bolder in an increasingly globalised world,” Nsengiyumva said.
The fair brings entrepreneurs from across the EAC into contact with buyers, suppliers and potential business partners.
Its purpose extends beyond displaying finished products: participating firms can seek the connections needed to produce more, enter neighbouring markets and grow their businesses.
Leather and horticulture are the priority sectors this year.
The EAC selected them for their potential to support production and employment, while leaving the exhibition open to enterprises in other industries.
In leather, the size of the market is striking. EAC figures show that demand for footwear rose from 130 million pairs in 2017 to nearly 290 million in 2024.
Local production stood at around 17 million pairs in 2024. Those figures describe regional demand and output at that time; they do not measure sales at the Kigali fair.
The EAC wants the event to connect businesses involved in different parts of leather production and attract investment in locally made goods.
A regional leather meeting is also scheduled in Kigali from November 4 to 6, while the trade fair is still under way.
Horticulture presents a different set of business needs. The EAC has identified technology, product standards and stronger links between producers and buyers as priorities for firms seeking access to larger markets.
The fair gives those businesses an opportunity to meet others working across the regional supply chain.
Participation from neighbouring countries shows how the exhibition is being used to pursue that market access. Kenya’s State Department for small business development said before the event that its delegation would comprise more than 600 exhibitors.
It has also scheduled a Kenya Day on November 5 to present its products and businesses. The announced delegation size is a plan, not a verified count of exhibitors already present in Kigali.
Technology has been part of the programme as well.
At a fair discussion on October 31, entrepreneurs examined digital sales channels, cross-border electronic payments, logistics and artificial intelligence tools that could help small firms reach customers beyond their domestic markets.
The exhibition remains open at the Gikondo Expo Ground until November 8, giving participating businesses several more days to meet buyers and pursue partnerships.
Elie GATETE
RADIOTV10