Africa Commerce & Industry Summit (ACIS) 2026 Archives - KNCCI

KNCCI STRENGTHENS KENYA–NIGERIA BUSINESS TIES AHEAD OF ACIS 2026

KNCCI Comms — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 07:24:55 +0000

Chamber President Dr. Erick Rutto held a high-level engagement with H.E. Ambassador Danlami Ibrahim, High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Kenya, focused on strengthening commercial relations between Kenya and Nigeria, opening new markets for businesses and building stronger private-sector linkages between East and West Africa.

A key focus of the meeting was the upcoming Africa Commerce & Industry Summit (ACIS) 2026, scheduled for 14–16 October. Dr. Rutto formally invited the Nigerian High Commission to participate and encouraged Nigeria to establish a dedicated pavilion showcasing Nigerian enterprises, products, investment opportunities and capabilities.

The High Commission welcomed the invitation and expressed its willingness to mobilise Nigerian businesses and entrepreneurs to participate. The engagement positioned ACIS as an important platform for connecting Kenyan and Nigerian businesses, generating B2B opportunities and translating the strong bilateral relationship into practical commercial partnerships.

Discussions noted that the scale of commercial engagement between two of Africa’s major economies remains below its potential. Both sides explored opportunities to strengthen two-way trade, broaden market access and connect credible businesses in sectors where there is clear demand and complementarity.

Among the opportunities discussed were Kenyan exports including sisal fibre, hides and skins, alongside Nigerian strengths in manufacturing, textiles, petroleum-related products and consumer goods. KNCCI emphasised its role in identifying credible enterprises, facilitating business connections and helping Kenyan companies access new markets across the continent.

The discussions also addressed the importance of strengthening confidence in cross-border transactions through reliable documentation, trusted business networks and improved trade facilitation.

Dr. Rutto highlighted KNCCI’s commitment to positioning Kenya as an accessible gateway for investment and business while simultaneously helping Kenyan enterprises look beyond traditional markets and build stronger commercial links across Africa.

The engagement also touched on business mobility and visa facilitation, opportunities for stronger people-to-people and private-sector connections, and the need for sustained engagement between business communities in both countries.

The Nigerian High Commission is also preparing a Nigeria–Kenya Business Forum in Nairobi, with KNCCI expected to support mobilisation of its membership and connect Nigerian businesses with relevant Kenyan counterparts. The engagement will complement Nigeria’s Independence celebrations and other bilateral activities planned for early October.

Also participating in the discussions were Muhammad Zayyanu Bandiya, Minister (Political) and Deputy Permanent Representative of Nigeria; Sonia from the Nigerian High Commission; KNCCI Head of Events and ACIS Implementation Committee lead Rahab Muturi; and Trade Department representative Sharon Karani.

The meeting reaffirmed a shared commitment to move Kenya–Nigeria relations beyond diplomatic goodwill towards stronger business partnerships, expanded market access, investment linkages and practical opportunities for enterprises in both countries.

For KNCCI, the engagement forms part of the Chamber’s wider agenda of opening Kenya for business, connecting Kenyan enterprises to new markets and using ACIS 2026 as a platform to deepen intra-African trade and investment.

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KNCCI and Ministry of Labour Partner Ahead of Africa Commerce & Industry Summit (ACIS) 2026

KNCCI Comms — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 12:24:09 +0000

The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) hosted senior officials from the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection at the KNCCI Boardroom on September 15, 2026, to map out collaborative strategies for the upcoming Africa Commerce & Industry Summit (ACIS) 2026.

The high-level engagement brought together key representatives, including Cynthia Nyawira (Director, KNCCI HQ Economic Diplomacy), Alice Mungai (Director, KNCCI Nairobi Chapter), Rahab Muturi (KNCCI Secretariat), Acqullyne Mbaka (Deputy Director for Post-Training and Skills Development), and Charles Nyantika (Deputy Director, Labour Migration Management).

During the meeting, KNCCI presented multiple engagement avenues for the Ministry to leverage during ACIS 2026. Prime among these is a dedicated exhibition space where the Ministry will showcase its flagship initiatives, employment programmes, and workforce development opportunities directly to regional delegates and business leaders.

The discussions highlighted key thematic areas where Ministry representatives will join panels and deliver keynotes, focusing on:

Global skills development and regional workforce competitiveness
Circular economy, green jobs, and sustainable economic growth
Youth upskilling, reskilling, and future-of-work preparedness

A primary focus of the partnership is the empowerment of young workers and entrepreneurs. Plans are underway to organize a dedicated Labour Side Event featuring a youth-focused panel designed to address employment challenges and emerging market demands. Additionally, the Ministry was encouraged to feature a dedicated showcase around NYOTA opportunities, highlighting key avenues for youth entrepreneurship, skills development, and job creation.

Both institutions committed to finalizing the summit packages, conceptualizing the youth-centric side events, and confirming key panelists. The collaboration signals a shared commitment to placing skills development, sustainable employment, and youth empowerment at the center of Africa’s trade and industrialization agenda.

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Africa Commerce & Industry Summit (ACIS) 2026

KNCCI Comms — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 12:36:42 +0000

Looking to expand into new markets? Seeking investors, strategic partnerships, or opportunities to engage with key policy makers?
The Africa Commerce & Industry Summit (ACIS) 2026 is where Africa’s business leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, government representatives, and development partners come together to shape the continent’s next chapter of trade and investment.
Join us to:
Build meaningful business connections
Unlock new markets across Africa
Meet potential investors and strategic partners
Discover emerging trade and investment opportunities
Engage with industry and policy leaders driving economic transformation

14th – 16th October 2026
Uhuru Gardens National Monument & Museum, Nairobi, Kenya

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