Ugandan Officials Launched Regional Trade Fair Initiative
The East African Community trade fair series aims to bolster regional value chains in leather and horticulture.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in International Trade
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Ugandan officials have launched the latest iteration of the East African Small and Medium Enterprises Trade Fair. The initiative focuses on scaling regional markets for local manufacturers as they prepare for a major exhibition in Rwanda.
Why it matters
The fair addresses the inability of domestic markets to absorb all locally produced goods while promoting economic growth through import substitution. By targeting leather and horticulture, the program seeks to facilitate job creation across the regional bloc.
The upcoming event in Kigali is expected to host about 350 exhibitors. This follows the previous exhibition in Nairobi, which featured participants across 13 distinct sectors.
The players
East African Community
This is a regional intergovernmental organization that promotes economic and social integration among its member states.
Robert Kabushenga
He is an entrepreneur who has been involved in regional trade exhibitions since 2019.
The details
The Ugandan government committed to facilitating the transportation of exhibitors' goods to Rwanda to support small business access to broader markets. Participants register to showcase their products and engage with entrepreneurs, building on past success where five Ugandan exporters secured new orders after the prior exhibition.
Timeline
Annual trade fair exhibitions began in 1999.
Robert Kabushenga began participating in regional exhibitions in 2019.
The trade fair was launched in Kampala on September 30, 2026.
Exhibitors must register by October 9, 2026.
The Jua Kali exhibition will be held in Kigali, Rwanda, in October 2026.
Market Landscape
This event serves as a strategic expansion of the regional cooperation framework within the East African Community. The initiative aims to capitalize on existing cross-border trade patterns to strengthen the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises.
Small and medium business owners looking to scale operations can register by October 9, 2026, to participate in the upcoming Kigali exhibition. The government-provided transportation support for goods reduces the logistical costs for entrepreneurs expanding into new regional markets.
The takeaway
Small businesses should look beyond domestic borders to maximize their production capacity and reach new consumer bases. Leveraging government-backed trade initiatives can provide the necessary logistical support to successfully enter international markets.
Further reading
Learn more about evolving regional commerce by visiting the International Trade section.
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