Kenya is set to host more than 5,000 business leaders from over 50 countries in October as the country positions itself at the centre of  Africa's growing push for deeper regional trade and investment. 

The three-day Africa Commerce & Industry Summit (ACIS) 2026 aims to move beyond policy discussions by connecting businesses with investors and fostering commercial partnerships that can accelerate intra-African trade.

Speaking at the launch on Thursday, KNCCI President Erick Rutto described the summit, slated for October 14-16, as a marketplace for investment rather than another conference.

"It is a marketplace where conversations become partnerships, partnerships become investments, and investments become economic growth," he said.

According to Rutto, the summit under the theme "Driving Africa's Next Era of Trade" will feature high-level policy dialogue, business-to-business meetings, private deal rooms and exhibitions designed to connect  African enterprises with financiers.

The event comes as implementation of the AfCFTA gathers pace.

The trade pact has created a single market of about 1.4 billion people with a combined gross domestic product of approximately $3.4 trillion, making it the world's largest free trade area by participating countries.

Trade experts argue that the agreement could transform Africa from a collection of fragmented markets into an integrated production and trading bloc if implementation hurdles are addressed.

Despite the continent's enormous market potential, trade among African countries remains relatively low at between 15 and 18 per cent of total trade, compared with roughly 70 per cent within Europe and about 60 per cent in Asia.

However, studies by the Brookings Institution suggest that informal cross-border commerce is significantly undercounted and could lift the true level of intra-African trade to nearly 40 per cent in some regions.

Africa's regional trade expanded by about 5.5 per cent in 2025, while forecasts indicate intra-African trade could grow by an average 6.6 per cent annually, adding more than $261 billion (Sh33.7 trillion) to the continent's economy by 2028.

Central Africa is emerging as the fastest-growing trading region, while West Africa continues to account for the largest share of internal trade flows.

The KNCCI boss says that business-focused forums such as ACIS could help bridge one of AfCFTA's biggest weaknesses: translating  political agreements into commercial transactions.

Recent research by the Brookings Institution notes that only a small fraction of products covered under AfCFTA's tariff preferences are currently being traded, underscoring the need for stronger business networks, logistics, financing and regional value chains to unlock the agreement's full potential.

KNCCI believes Nairobi offers a strategic venue for that ambition.

“Kenya remains East Africa's largest commercial, logistics and financial hub, supported by the Port of Mombasa, extensive regional transport links and a rapidly expanding digital economy.”

The summit also coincides with KNCCI's 60th anniversary, highlighting the chamber's six decades of supporting private sector growth. The Star