The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) is proud to announce the successful completion of Phase 2 of the Study Tour on Small Commodity Market Construction for Developing Countries, held from November 1–6, 2025, in China. KNCCI is also represented by Alice Wanjiku – Director Nairobi Chapter,  Andrew Laekono – Chair Samburu Chapter and Laura Kandie – Director Elgeyo Marakwet Chapter while the membership is represented by Michael Omino – DTB Bank and Leon Mbugua – Game Stream Ltd.

The program was hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and organized by Zhejiang Normal University.

Representing Kenya with distinction, KNCCI Women in Business Chairlady Ms. Zainab Mohammed served as the Team Leader of the Kenya Delegation, which joined participants from nine other developing countries for an immersive six-day program. The study tour provided a unique opportunity to explore China’s dynamic small commodity market ecosystem, digital trade innovations, and manufacturing excellence.

A Learning Journey Across China’s Innovation Hubs

The field program connected four major Chinese cities — Yiwu, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Jinyun, and Yongkang — each showcasing a different dimension of China’s trade and industrial success.

  • In Yiwu, often called the World’s Supermarket, participants examined how China transformed small commodities into a global business. Through lectures and site visits, delegates explored digital market management systems, multilingual trade services, and cross-border e-commerce strategies that power Yiwu’s international success.
  • In Hangzhou, the delegation gained insights into the integration of education, culture, and digital innovation. Visits to Wansong Academy and Dream Town provided exposure to cutting-edge technologies such as AR (augmented reality) in trade promotion and data-driven decision-making tools like the Yiwu Index.
  • In Shanghai, participants experienced the intersection of creativity, culture, and commerce. Discussions focused on how China is commercializing intangible cultural heritage to empower rural economies — lessons that can inspire local artisans and women-led enterprises in Kenya.
  • In Jinyun and Yongkang, delegates visited advanced manufacturing enterprises and engaged in trade roundtables with local industry and commerce federations. The conversations opened pathways for future economic partnerships and technology transfer between Kenya and China.

Kenya’s Representation and Achievements

As Team Leader, Ms. Zainab played a pivotal role in representing Kenya’s private sector and promoting the interests of Kenyan SMEs, women entrepreneurs, and manufacturers. She highlighted Kenya’s growing potential in small-scale manufacturing, creative industries, and cross-border e-commerce, emphasizing the importance of market linkages, innovation, and value addition.

Speaking at the closing session, Ms. Zainab expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Commerce of China and Zhejiang Normal University for facilitating knowledge exchange among developing countries. She noted that the lessons learned from China’s small-commodity market model will be cascaded to KNCCI members through capacity-building forums and knowledge-sharing sessions.

“This study tour was more than just a learning experience — it was an eye-opener on how innovation, structure, and strong market linkages can transform small enterprises into global players. KNCCI will ensure that these lessons translate into actionable programs for our members, especially women in business and SMEs,” said Ms. Zainab.

Cascading the Lessons to KNCCI Members

KNCCI, through its Women in Business Committee, plans to roll out targeted training and mentorship programs inspired by the insights gained from the study tour. These will include:

  • Workshops on market access and trade logistics for small-scale traders and manufacturers.
  • Digital commerce training to enhance online marketing and export readiness among SMEs.
  • Cultural and creative enterprise development sessions to help local artisans commercialize heritage products sustainably.
  • Partnership forums to explore trade opportunities with Chinese enterprises and other developing countries represented in the seminar.

By adapting China’s practical experiences to Kenya’s business landscape, KNCCI aims to strengthen local value chains, improve competitiveness, and enhance members’ participation in international trade.

 

Towards Global Cooperation and Inclusive Growth

The Seminar on Small Commodity Market Construction for Developing Countries underscored the value of openness, collaboration, and shared learning among nations. For KNCCI, this partnership marks another milestone in advancing South–South cooperation and fostering inclusive trade development.