Institute participates in the EAC 2026 MSMEs Trade Fair
Photo: Mr. Muteti welcomes the Prime Minister of the Republic of Rwanda, Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva, to the official opening of the 26th EAC MSMEs Trade Fair in Kigali.
The Institute participated in the just concluded East African Community (EAC) 2026 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Trade Fair. Mr. Richard Muteti, a Board Member, said the Trade Fair, which was held at the Gikondo Expo Grounds in Rwanda from 30th October to 8th November, 2026, is a gateway to regional economic opportunities for Kenyan entrepreneurs.
Mr. Muteti said that, for the over 300 Kenyan MSMEs who participated in the 2026 Edition of the Fair, it provided a platform to showcase their innovations, access new markets, establish strategic business partnerships and explore investment opportunities across the Community.
“Through such engagements, Kenya continues to empower its MSMEs to scale up, enhance their competitiveness and position locally made products for regional and international markets," he said.
He accompanied Prime Minister of the Republic of Rwanda, Rt. Hon. Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva, who officially opened the Fair, during a tour of the exhibitions showcasing products and innovations by MSMEs from across EAC Partner States.
Besides Rwanda and Kenya, other EAC Member States are Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Mr. Muteti who represents the MSMEs sector in the Institute’s Board was accompanied to Rwanda by Hussein Haji, an Examiner at the Institute’s Trade Marks Division. Mr Haji engaged MSMEs during the Fair, sensitising them on the importance of protecting their industrial property rights - trade marks, patents, industrial designs and utility models.
He took some of them through the new Online Trade Mark Filing System as they submitted their trade mark applications for registration from Rwanda.