By Eddah Waithaka
The Dawoodi Bohra community of Kenya successfully launched a new engine for regional commerce this month, hosting the inaugural Africa Trade Expo 2025 (ATE2025) from August 8–10.
The event transformed the Catholic University of Eastern Africa into a dynamic hub for international trade and economic dialogue.
The three-day Expo attracted 6,625 visitors and united 225 exhibitors across eight key sectors. Information Technology, Manufacturing, and Industrial Solutions led the strong participation, with significant representation from Tourism, Real Estate, Healthcare, Green Energy, Agribusiness, and Home Interiors.
A cohort of fifty small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seized the platform, highlighting East Africa’s diverse and growing entrepreneurial spirit.
The event successfully created direct pathways for local and regional businesses to connect with international partners and global markets.
Shabbir Nomani, Chairman of the Dawoodi Bohra community in Nairobi, stated the Expo celebrated core principles of entrepreneurship and ethical business.
“We have given businesses of all sizes a stage to seize new possibilities and forge paths to success,” Nomani said.Project Coordinator Moiz Hassanali pointed to the region’s economic dynamism, fueled by a youthful population and rapid infrastructure expansion.
He said the Expo aimed to inspire entrepreneurs to harness these strengths for shared prosperity.
This initiative taps into a powerful economic current. East Africa’s robust GDP growth and expanding middle class are fueling demand for high-quality goods and services.
Furthermore, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is streamlining cross-border trade, granting the region access to a unified market of over 400 million people.
Throughout the event, ATE2025 facilitated critical connections. Investors, government delegates, and industry leaders engaged in targeted networking sessions, panel discussions, and business matchmaking opportunities designed to spark deals across all sectors.
The response from participants was immediately positive. Murtaza Ebrahimjee of Ebrahimjee and Mutai Advisory reported forging valuable links with entrepreneurs across East Africa.
“We are thrilled by the clear opportunities for collaboration and expansion, and we are proud to contribute to the region’s industrial growth,” Ebrahimjee said.
