On 9th December 2022, The AACCI Kenya Chapter was Launched at the Radisson Blu Hotel (Upper hill). The Launch was well attended by global leaders of leading companies and industries and was officiated by Amb Wallace William of Antigua Nigeria, CS of trade representative, Mr Michaela Mandu, the Director of External Trade MITI, Ambassador Fredrick L Matwang’a, Director of Economic Affairs & commercial Diplomacy, Indian High Commissioner. President of AACCI Ghana Mr Mark G Darko & Mr Richard Ngatia president of Kenya national chamber of Commerce Kenya.
Mrs Selamawit Zemene, the President of the Asian-African Chamber of Commerce Kenya Chapter welcomed guests to the event. Shortly after, shared the roles and mandate of the Kenya Chapter. She said,
“AACCI Kenya Chapter’s role will be to reach out to the global market and build bridges of cooperation and effective network between Asia and Africa.
Our mission is to be the driving force for international business between Asia and Africa.
We look forward to being the bridge of communication between Kenya & Asian trading blocs.
We will aim to facilitate trade by organizing trade-related events, B2B meetings and matchmaking events, for both public and private entities. This Chapter will also provide a platform for business networking sessions to enable our members to meet and exchange information, experiences, and business opportunities.
Through the already signed MOUs and partnership agreements so far, the AACCI-Kenya is ready for business and look forward to creating market linkages for Kenya and the wider East Africa region to Asia markets and vice versa.
One of our core mandates of the just launched Kenyan chapter is to elevate the capacity of SMEs – They will introduce the Asia Africa Leadership Summit and Awards to appreciate the global achievers contributing to the achievement of Kenya Vision 2030 and the UN SDG goals. This will be an annual award for the East African chapter.
Our Promise to you is to advocate on behalf of the private sector of the Asia-African region through good corporate governance and enhanced and increased public-private partnerships among others. AACCI Kenya Chapter will take it upon itself to represent the Kenyan business networks and facilitate sustainable Partnerships by enabling an optimal nurturing environment for Kenya – Asia business relations to excel, as we advocate for favourable trade policies in our region.’’ – Mrs Selamawit Zemene
The Ministry of Trade CS representative, Mr Michaela Mandu echoed her remarks on the need to strengthen Africa Intra trade as they seek to deepen the relationship with the Asian Market.
The ministry of trade and industrialization will work closely with the AACCI Kenya chapter to ensure that Kenya businesses excel in the African-Asia trading area. “We appreciate the bold move and trust bestowed on our country, we affirm that these efforts are not futile since Kenya has a bill and is at the forefront of championing many things in the business sector. We are looking into many things including the business environment to make it better for our people to do business.” – Mr Michael Mandu
He further acknowledged the broad undertaking of Asian African Chamber of Commerce in supporting and enhancing SMEs performance through provision of tools to foster development and build better economic growth through sustainable development
“The current government is geared towards enhancing improving the business environment, we shall do all we can to work towards the success of this partnership. Asia is a very important region in Kenya Trade and Investment partnership. When we rank our source of imports globally, the leaders are from Asia, this shows how important this launch is in further deepening our business relation with the entire Africa continent and Asia”- Amb Fredrick L Matwang’a Director Economic Affairs & Commercial Diplomat
Dr Mark Darko, President of AACCI Ghana chapter emphasized that the launch of AACCI Kenya is a historic and the beginning of many great things to come. The two continents, Asia & Africa, are undoubtedly huge economic powerhouses sitting on huge resources i.e., Natural resources, technology, and human capital. Closely collaborating to further deepen the bilateral ties between the two continents will no doubt reap mutual benefits. As an import-driven continent, AACCI chamber is focused on changing the narrative to place more emphasis and sense of stress on industrialization to enable us to add value to the resources that are bountifully available to us.
We invite entrepreneurs, industry practitioners and traders on the two continents tojoin hands with us in making this dream a reality. Having officially launched the Chapter, AACCI Kenya the door is open for membership, B2B meetings, Trade Missions, Workshops, matchmaking opportunities and capacity building for all.” – Dr Mark Darko
Ambassador Brigadier General Dr. Wallace W Williams, Hon consular for Antigua & Barbuda to Nigeria said,
“…this launch is timely and well positioned to all East Africans to partner with the
Kenya Chapter and support of the Kenya Government here represented at the launch of the captain of industries and bankers attending, demonstrate how important this chamber and its role will play in enhancing intra Africa trade internationally. With the vision of the president of her board will be the drivers of the mission of the chamber. Promote & Build Africa together.”- Amb Wallace W Williams
Africa & Asia have formidable opportunities to corporate mutually to the benefit of each other and trade is of course a significant chapter in that opportunity. The setting up of the AACCI Kenyan chapter is therefore very timely and very welcomed.
Panel Discussions
Other topics touched on by the Panelists including the CEO of UBA Bank, Mr. Chike Isiewu, Mr James Mureu and others, discussed on various topics including: –
- Collaboration as a Means of Fostering Development in the Africa – Asian Market
- Capacity Building of Values Addition and Market Take-up in the Ecosystem
- Asia Africa: The Rising Growth Cooperation
- The Core Mandate of Asian-African Chamber of Commerce Kenya Chapter
- Revitalizing the Unified Commerce
First Quarter Activities
The Kenya Chapter will kick start their first workshop dubbed ‘SME Trade Facilitation and Financial workshop,’ this year in June. Followed by Trade Mission and Fair exhibition to Malaysia & USA in the third quarter of the year, and B2B meetings in country.
As a member of AACCI Kenya, you will access a world of opportunities. From networking with the corporate majors of Asian-African and global industry to assisting in framing economic and industrial policies. Through close linkage with the government, AACCI’s proactive approach focuses on helping you to increase efficiency and competitiveness.
AACCI Global has set a goal to propel the major integration projects initiated by the esteemed governments of the countries to their effective realization and initiate a dialogue to eradicate trade deficiencies through multi-lateral advocacy programs.
Membership Benefits
The AACCI promotes the interests of its members’ businesses while cooperatively working to establish an environment and economic climate for success in the business community in Asia and Africa. It provides a platform for profitable interaction between the African and Asian business communities to enhance trade and commerce in their respective countries.
The launch was majorly sponsored by UBA Bank, DTB Bank, Kimisitu Sacco, Ethiopian Airlines, Korba etc.
Eminence Global is privelleged to be the AACCI Kenya Communications Partner and part of the AACCI Kenya Advisory Board.
To become an AACCI Member Click HERE
Media Coverage; https://youtu.be/x-p44YSICa8
