The Kenya-Somalia Trade Week at the Business Bay Square Mall in the Eastleigh suburb of Nairobi was more than just a showcase of products and investment opportunities — it was a symbol of what the future could hold for East Africa.
Since Somalia officially joined the EAC in 2024, the dynamics of regional trade have started to shift. For years, trade between Kenya and Somalia had quietly thrived, especially in sectors like tea, livestock, and fish. But now, with eased cross-border policies and better market access, we are witnessing a new chapter—one where economic ties are not just about survival, but about growth and shared prosperity.
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Investment, Trade, and Industry, Lee Kinyanjui, captured this spirit perfectly when he emphasized that this partnership isn’t just about boosting trade between Kenya and Somalia. It’s about pulling Somalia deeper into the EAC economic family. And the benefits go both ways.
Countries like Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania have a strong agricultural and manufacturing base that can help in uplifting Somalia’s rich maritime and agricultural potential. Somalia’s ports, in the meantime, offer an alternative route for goods flowing in and out of the region, helping ease the pressure on the ports of Mombasa and Dar es Salaam.
This means faster transport, lower costs, and smoother supply chains—a win for the entire East African region.
But there’s more. Somalia’s urban centers, like the capital Mogadishu, are growing rapidly. Real estate, construction, and agribusiness are sectors ripe for investment.
Visualize a future where East African investors build modern housing in Mogadishu, or where Somali farmers supply fresh produce to Kampala’s and Kigali’s bustling markets. This is the kind of regional cooperation that strengthens economies and ultimately livelihoods.
“Since Somalia officially joined the EAC in 2024, the dynamics of regional trade have started to shift. For years, trade between Kenya and Somalia had quietly thrived, especially in sectors like tea, livestock and fish. But now, with eased cross-border policies and better market access, we are witnessing a new chapter – one where economic ties are not just about survival, but about growth and shared prosperity.”
The rest of the EAC should be watching closely. Uganda and South Sudan could strengthen their agricultural trade routes. Tanzania and Burundi could join forces on energy and infrastructure projects. Each bilateral deal adds another piece to the puzzle of a truly interconnected East Africa.
Of course, none of this happens without commitment and vision. Political leaders must move beyond viewing these partnerships as isolated events. They are part of a larger plan—a plan where East African countries work as one, with open borders for trade, investment, and innovation.
The Kenya-Somalia Trade Week was more than a business event—it was a bold step toward a stronger, more united East Africa. The real success will come when the deals signed translate into lasting economic partnerships that benefit the entire region.
Isaac Mwangi writes on social, political, and economic issues in East Africa.
E-mail: isaacmmwangi@gmail.com
