Landmark Pan-African Event to Convene Over 5,000 Delegates and 100+ Investors in Nairobi this October as KNCCI Celebrates 60 Years of Advancing Trade and Industry.

NAIROBI, KENYA – July 30, 2026: The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) has officially launched the Africa Commerce & Industry Summit (ACIS) 2026, a premier continental platform designed to drive deal-level transactions, unlock strategic investment, and accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Scheduled to take place from 14th to 16th October 2026 at the Uhuru Gardens National Monument & Museum in Nairobi, Kenya, the flagship summit will be held under the theme “Driving Africa’s Next Era of Trade”. ACIS 2026 also coincides with KNCCI’s 60th-anniversary celebrations, marking six decades of economic leadership and enterprise development since its founding in 1965.

The three-day summit will gather more than 5,000 delegates from over 50 countries, bringing together Heads of State, government representatives, chamber presidents, global CEOs, development finance institutions, and over 100 investors actively seeking African growth opportunities. The summit features 350+ exhibitors across 12 high-growth sector pavilions including ICT & Digital Economy, Agribusiness, Financial Services, Green Technologies, and Manufacturing.

Speaking during the media launch in Nairobi, KNCCI President Dr. Erick Rutto emphasized that ACIS 2026 is engineered to address the practical bottlenecks inhibiting cross-border business and trade integration.

“Africa’s next chapter is being written now, and there is a seat in this room for everyone prepared to help write it,” said Dr. Rutto. “While the AfCFTA has established a US$3.4 trillion single market across 1.5 billion people, intra-African trade remains disproportionately low compared to global peers. ACIS 2026 is timed to convert macro policy momentum into deal-level activity. This summit goes beyond conversations into transactions—providing private Deal Rooms, curated B2B matchmaking, and dedicated investment forums built to connect capital directly with scalable growth enterprises.”

Underlining the economic imperative, Dr. Rutto noted that intra-African trade is projected to rise by 6.6% annually, adding an extra US$261.4 billion to continental GDP by 2028 and raising trade’s overall output share to 16.5%.

KNCCI Vice President Mr. Mustafa Ramadhan highlighted the core mission of inclusivity behind the summit, ensuring that Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), youth-led innovators, and women-owned businesses take center stage.

“Businesses across the continent face real operational questions: How do we enter new markets? Where do we find reliable partners and investors? How do we export across borders?” noted Mr. Ramadhan. “ACIS 2026 is a marketplace built to provide practical solutions to these challenges. Across Africa, opportunities exist in abundance, and in the words of Eliud Kipchoge, ‘No Business is Limited.’ We are creating an environment where African-led businesses can build trust, find distributors, and trade together seamlessly.”

Highlighting the operational architecture of the event, KNCCI Chief Executive Officer Mr. KK Mutai stated that the summit is curated to yield immediate commercial results.

“Our ambition for ACIS 2026 is straightforward: when participants leave Nairobi this October, they should leave with more than conference materials and business cards—they should leave with signed purchase orders, executed contracts, and binding investment deals in hand,” stated Mr. Mutai. “Whether connecting to equity funds, pitching to global buyers, or exploring public-private dialogues, every hour of ACIS 2026 is structured for maximum economic return.”

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ABOUT THE KENYA NATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (KNCCI)

Established in 1965, the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) is the premier umbrella body for the private sector in Kenya. Celebrating 60 years of advancing trade and industry, KNCCI represents thousands of businesses across all 47 counties, advocating for a favorable commercial environment, driving SME capacity development, and facilitating international trade partnerships.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kamau Mbote

Communication Lead

Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI)

Phone: +254 72468368 Email: /

Website: https://www.kenyachamber.or.ke/ acis2026.kenyachamber.or.ke