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Kenyan Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have reportedly shipped their first exports of assorted products to South Sudan, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework through an initiative called TradeConnect.
According to a report by Kenyan Wall Street, seen by Zambia Monitor on Saturday, the TradeConnect initiative plans to mobilise and transport 1,000 containers of diverse goods valued at US$1.2 million across the continent over the next 12 months.
The Kenyan government hopes the initiative would boost the country’s exports by 10 percent annually and reduce logistics challenges for exporters by 30 percent.
Read more:AfCFTA key to balancing Africa’s development, climate goals, says experts
“As we strive to produce what we can consume and consume what we can produce, the TradeConnect initiative will empower Kenyan businesses to become more competitive and self-sustaining, fostering growth and innovation,” said Deputy President Kithure Kindiki in a speech read on his behalf by Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSME Development Wycliffe Oparanya during the flag-off ceremony.
In 2023, Kenya’s exports to Zambia were reportedly valued at US$70 million, with manufactured tobacco products making up 10.6 percent of its exports to the country.
Other significant exports included margarine and other edible mixtures (9.5 percent) and medicaments for therapeutic use (6.8 percent).
Kenya’s exports to the DRC have fluctuated, dropping from US$239.4 million in 2014 to US$132 million in 2019, before rising again to US$189.9 million in 2023.
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