Changamka Festival 2025: NCBA and KAM Unite to Power Kenya’s Manufacturing Renaissance
Posted by JIM MWANDA
The 8th Changamka Kenya Shopping Festival at Nairobi brings together over 300 exhibitors and partners including NCBA Bank and the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, reinforcing Kenya’s manufacturing growth and SME empowerment under the “Buy Kenya, Build Kenya” agenda.
Nairobi Kenya
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In Summary:
The 8th Edition of the Changamka Kenya Shopping Festival officially opened in Nairobi on November 4, 2025, marking a major milestone in Kenya’s industrial journey. The five-day festival, held in Kenya's capital, features over 300 exhibitors from across the country, all showcasing the innovation and resilience of local industries under this year’s theme: “Driving Kenya’s Manufacturing Competitiveness through Inclusive, Sustainable Industrialization, Economic Diversification and Trade Partnerships.”
Organized by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) in partnership with the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, Changamka forms part of the flagship Buy Kenya, Build Kenya initiative, designed to promote locally made products and strengthen domestic manufacturing. The festival provides a one-stop platform for consumers, investors, and policymakers to connect directly with Kenyan producers and innovators.
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Speaking during the opening ceremony, Dr. Juma Mukhwana, Principal Secretary at the State Department for Industry, underscored Kenya’s pivotal role in Africa’s industrial future. “Kenya has long been a gateway to East and Central Africa. The time when Africa concentrates on its problems is over—this is our moment to turn challenges into opportunities,” he said, urging Kenyan manufacturers to innovate, export, and scale up production.
The Kenya Association of Manufacturers Chief Executive, Mr. Tobias Alando, emphasized that Changamka has evolved into a national movement that bridges the gap between producers and consumers. “It gives Kenyans a real chance to see what local industries can do, to meet the people behind the brands, and to appreciate the innovation that drives our manufacturing sector forward,” he noted.
This year’s festival gained a strong financial boost through the participation of NCBA Bank, a key partner committed to empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in manufacturing. According to Robert Kiboti, NCBA’s Director of Commercial and SME Banking, the bank’s partnership with KAM goes beyond sponsorship—it’s a strategic collaboration to unlock industrial potential. “Our goal is to walk the journey with our clients from startup to scale-up and beyond,” said Kiboti.
NCBA has positioned itself as a central player in Kenya’s manufacturing renaissance by offering tailor-made financial solutions such as up to 90% asset financing for machinery importation, working capital support through invoice discounting and overdrafts, and trade facilitation programs that link local entrepreneurs to global opportunities. The bank’s recent trade delegation to China, involving 110 Kenyan entrepreneurs, exemplified its practical approach to transforming traders into manufacturers through exposure and financing.
Beyond financing, NCBA is also driving green energy adoption within the industrial sector. By developing renewable energy solutions, including solar and energy efficiency programs, the bank aims to help manufacturers cut energy costs and enhance competitiveness in an increasingly sustainability-driven global market.
Complementing the festival is the 3rd Kenya Industrialization Conference, running concurrently, where policymakers, investors, and industry leaders are discussing how to advance Kenya’s industrial agenda through trade partnerships and innovation-driven growth.
The Changamka Festival continues to expand its footprint beyond Nairobi, with successful editions in Mombasa and Kisumu, signaling a growing appetite for localized industrial growth across regions. Supported by partners such as FCDO, TradeMark Africa, Afreximbank, Stanbic Bank, NCBA, and Network International, the festival underscores a collective commitment to making Kenya a competitive manufacturing hub and a driver of sustainable African industrialization.
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