Kenya’s economic relationship with China is increasingly moving beyond imports of finished products, with greater emphasis now being placed on technology transfer, local manufacturing and investment.
The 9th Kenya International Industrial Expo and Kenya Investment & Trade Fair 2026, which opened at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi on Thursday, has attracted manufacturers, investors, technology firms, entrepreneurs and buyers from Kenya, China and other international markets.
The Expo, which runs until September 5, is being positioned as more than a platform for showcasing and selling products. Organisers say it aims to facilitate partnerships that bring machinery, technical expertise, investment and advanced production technologies into Kenya, while helping local companies access broader regional markets.
Afripeak Expo Kenya Managing Director Gao Wei said the focus should be on developing lasting industrial partnerships rather than short-term commercial transactions.
He said meaningful cooperation should involve technology transfer, local assembly and production, skills development and job creation, rather than simply importing Chinese goods.
The push reflects growing calls for Kenya to extract greater industrial value from its trade with China by encouraging Chinese companies to establish manufacturing and assembly operations and enter into technology partnerships with local firms.
A major feature of this year’s Expo is the participation of a business delegation from Guangdong Province, one of China’s leading manufacturing and trading hubs.
The delegation is expected to hold discussions with Kenyan businesses on manufacturing, sourcing, distribution, technology transfer and investment. The engagement could strengthen direct connections between Kenyan enterprises and Chinese manufacturers while exposing local companies to technologies and production systems that could improve industrial capacity.
The Expo is also displaying technologies such as laser cutting, engraving and processing equipment, which can be applied across sectors including metal fabrication, furniture, construction, packaging and advertising.
Access to such machinery could enable Kenyan manufacturers to increase efficiency, lower production costs, improve precision and raise the quality of locally manufactured products. For micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, improved access to industrial equipment could also support expansion and competitiveness.
Gao said Kenya’s strategic location, growing consumer market, private sector and access to the wider East African market make the country an attractive regional base for international businesses.
The exhibition is being organised by Afripeak Expo Kenya Ltd in partnership with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) and InvestKenya. The programme includes business forums, a Kenya Pavilion and business-to-business meetings aimed at developing commercial and investment partnerships.
KNCCI National Director Joseph Mutavi Kithu said the Expo gives Kenyan businesses an opportunity to go beyond product displays and establish relationships capable of attracting investment, opening new markets and strengthening domestic production.
He said the theme, “Investing in Tomorrow, Trading for Prosperity,” highlights the importance of directing investment towards productive sectors while improving the competitiveness of Kenyan businesses.
Kithu also noted that industrialisation should not be viewed solely through the lens of large-scale factories, arguing that MSMEs, suppliers, distributors, technology firms and service providers all have an important role to play in Kenya’s economic transformation.
KNCCI President Dr Erick Rutto described the Expo as a platform for business expansion, innovation and industrial transformation. He urged Kenyan manufacturers and MSMEs to use the event to identify potential partners, access new technologies, develop market connections and pursue investment opportunities.
Participating Kenyan companies include Jonerics Cargo Forwarders, SPIRO Kenya, Building Materials Association of Kenya, Robert Bosch East Africa, Hegazy Pack, Mizztech Equipment Supplies, Canon Aluminium Fabricators, Javans Coffee and Kenya Orient Insurance.
Also Read: Probe As 32-Year-Old Woman Dies While Receiving Prayers At Malindi Church
China remains a major source of industrial machinery, equipment, technology and investment for Kenya. At the same time, Chinese businesses view Kenya as a gateway to a sizeable domestic market and the wider East African region.
The challenge for Kenya is ensuring that stronger commercial ties translate into local production, skills development, employment and genuine technology transfer.
The country has long sought to increase the value generated from international trade by expanding its manufacturing base and reducing reliance on imported finished goods. Stronger industrial partnerships with Chinese companies could contribute to that ambition if investments are accompanied by skills transfer, local supplier networks and greater participation by Kenyan firms in regional value chains.
Ultimately, the success of the 2026 Expo will depend on whether the business connections forged in Nairobi lead to tangible investments, manufacturing ventures, local assembly operations, technology partnerships and job creation.
For Kenya-China trade relations, the goal is increasingly clear: moving beyond importing products towards building productive capacity, transferring skills and technology, and creating greater opportunities for Kenyan businesses.
