Mr. Felix Mosha, EABC Vice Chair hands over EABC Study on Investment Opportunities along the Northern Corridor to Hon.Phyllis Kandie, Cabinet Secretary of EAC Affairs, Kenya during 1st East African Business and Entrepreneurship Conference & Exhibition 2016, Nairobi Kenya.
The East African Business Council (EABC) hosted the 1st East African Business and Entrepreneurship Conference &
Exhibition from the 10th to 13th October, 2016 in Nairobi, Kenya.
Under the theme of “Scaling up the Spirit and Bonds of Integration through
Entrepreneurship”, more than 300 participants from 14 countries took the
opportunity to discuss entrepreneurial trends, investment opportunities and
existing constraints for businesses in East Africa.
The conference attracted a diverse audience composed of high
level political decision makers, executives and representatives of the private
sector as well as entrepreneurs at different stages of business development
from from the East African Community region and beyond. Among the guests of
honour were Dr. Mukhisa Kithuyi, Secretary General of UNCTAD, Amb. Juma V.
Mwapachu and Amb. Dr. Richard Sezibera, former Secretary Generals of EAC. The
Partner States were represented by Hon. Adan Mohamed, Secretary for Trade,
Kenya, Hon. Phyllis Kandie, Secretary of EAC Affairs, Kenya, Hon. Sicily
Kariuki, Secretary of Gender Affairs, Kenya, Amb. Jean Rigi, Permanent
Secretary for EAC Affairs, Burundi and Hon. Maganda Julius Wandera, Minister for
EAC Affairs, Uganda.
Throughout the thematic sessions of the conference, the various
impacts and opportunities arising from the EAC Common Market Protocol were
highlighted. The envisioned common market of 160 million consumers is
attractive for foreign investment and very potential to fuel industrialisation
& economic development in the region.
There is a clear indication that the EAC is a region full of
investment opportunities, in many sectors, including but not limited to
Infrastructure, Agri-business, ICT, Cotton and Textiles, Leather,
Manufacturing, Energy, Services and the Education sectors. It is also
clear that the region is open and ready for business and investment and our
governments are consistently reforming the business environment to attract more
investments. We heard that over the past 5 years, the EAC governments have made
65 key reforms to improve the business environment.
The conference provided a platform for discussions between
representatives from the public and the private sector on the aforementioned
sectors.
Caption
Highlights of the 1st East African Business and Entrepreneurship Conference
& Exhibition 2016
“The private sector needs to come together to advocate for a
legislation that will continue to improve the business environment, but more
important, to take us to the full actualization of the common market.” Dennis
Awori, Chairman Toyota East Africa
“I think this is a place, where we listen very clearly as
government, to ensure that we understand what the issues are.” Hon. Phyllis
Kandie.
“The private sector drives development and industrialization
across most developing countries and this is entirely something that Africa is
supposed to tap into to see where we are supposed to develop as a group, we
must bring private sector as the leading player in industrialization. They are
giving us the perspectives on hand and the experiences they have.” Hon. Maganda
JuliusWandera acknowledged.
The Federation of German Industries (BDI) supported the
conference with the aim of strengthening the role of the private sector in the
economic integration of East Africa. Dr. Stefan Mair, Member of the Executive
Board of the BDI and head of the German delegation, highlighted East Africa as
one of the most promising markets in Sub-Saharan Africa for German industries.
The participation of the delegation, consisting of representatives of the BDI
and German companies looking for investment opportunities in the EAC, was an
excellent occasion to discuss ways for East African entrepreneurs to access the
EU market.
The panel on manufacturing underscored the importance of
internationalising Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and utilising regional
markets as a first step to integrating companies into global value chains. The
EAC Partner States are mainly exporting commodities. Upgrading their value
chains to export more processed goods offers great potential for economic
development. The EAC Partner States were encouraged to embrace local sourcing
through government procurement with a special consideration for women in
entrepreneurship.
Noting that half of EAC’s population are women, who manage
approximately 35-55% of businesses and account for more than 70% of cross
border trade. Many women entrepreneurs participated in the conference and were
outspoken about their challenges.
“As a Kenyan entrepreneur I speak a lot with other people within
this country and this city. So being able to hear from Ugandans, from Rwandese,
from Tanzanians about similar challenges that we think, that we can work
together, I think for me that is really exciting.” Wandia Gichuru, Founder and
CEO at Vivo Active Wear, highlighted the potential of cooperating beyond
borders.
The sector of internet and communication technology (ICT) has
been identified as a major trade enabler, most notably in the sectors of
tourism, education and agriculture. Dr. Sezibera elaborated on the latest
achievements on ICT in Rwanda.
“The world’s first national drone delivery system will be used
to deliver blood to patients in remote areas of the country.” Ms. Faraja
Nyalandu, founder of “ShuleDirect”, advocated for the great opportunities of
ICT in education.
She further explained that with the use of modern technologies,
students can source up-to-date digital learning materials where access to up to
date books proves difficulties.
The conference concluded by adopting a matrix of
recommendations, which will be analyzed in the upcoming 2nd East African
Business and Entrepreneurship Conference scheduled on 14th -16th November 2017
in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Why Attend the 2nd East African Business and
Entrepreneurship Conference & Exhibition 2017. Visit:
www.eabc-online.com/entrepreneurship/
EABC appreciates the support received from GIZ, Federation of
German Industries (BDI), Herrenknecht, General Motors, Kenya Commercial Bank
and the business community in organising the 1st East African Business and
Entrepreneurship Conference & Exhibition 2016.
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