Changamka Manufacturers Expo Opens in Mombasa

The Changamka Kenya Shopping Festival, an initiative by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), has officially commenced at the Oshwal Community Centre in Mombasa.

This exciting festival offers Kenyans both within and beyond Mombasa City a unique opportunity to purchase high-quality products directly from local manufacturers at discounted prices, all under the inspiring banner of the “Buy Kenya Build Kenya” initiative, promoting devolved manufacturing.

The festival serves as a dynamic convergence point for Kenyan manufacturers and key stakeholders, allowing them to display their locally crafted products and connect directly with consumers. This not only boosts sales but also fosters greater awareness and appreciation of Kenya’s manufacturing sector.

Mombasa County Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir, who graced the event, emphasized the significance of supporting local manufacturing for job creation and economic development. “The Buy Kenya Build Kenya initiative is more than just a slogan; it is a rallying cry that should echo throughout the nation. By supporting local manufacturing, we can drive job creation and economic development. The Changamka Shopping Festival is a crucial platform that will propel our local entrepreneurs to new heights, enabling them to compete effectively on a continental and global scale,” he said.

Joyce Njogu, KAM’s Head of Consulting and Business Development, highlighted the festival’s role in showcasing the excellence and variety of local products.

“Changamka Shopping Festival is a celebration and a showcase of the diverse, high-quality, and unique products that our local industries produce. It provides manufacturers with a golden opportunity to highlight the excellence and variety of their goods to local, regional, and international markets,” Njogu stated.

The Mombasa edition of Changamka comes at a pivotal moment as the government rolls out policies aimed at increasing the manufacturing sector’s contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the current 7.6 percent to an ambitious 20 percent by 2030.

KAM Coast Region Chair, Mr. Abdallah Athman, urged shoppers from across the county and the country to seize this opportunity to support local manufacturers and benefit from the festival’s discounted prices. He praised KAM for decentralizing the festival, ensuring every county reaps its benefits. “One of the most exciting aspects of Changamka Mombasa is its representation of a devolved approach to economic development. Since the implementation of the 2010 Constitution, Kenya has embraced a decentralized system of governance, which aims to bring services closer to the people, reduce the cost of doing business, and stimulate regional economic growth,” he noted.

Florence Wanja, Regional Head of Business and Commercial Banking at Stanbic Bank, expressed the bank’s commitment to empowering SMEs. “SMEs are the backbone of our economy, and at Stanbic Bank, we are dedicated to empowering these businesses with the resources and support they need to thrive. We are huge proponents of the ‘Buy Kenya, Build Kenya’ initiative, and remain committed to supporting local manufacturers and SMEs to deliver sustainable economic growth and development in Kenya,” Wanja said.

Now in its fourth edition in Mombasa County, the Changamka Shopping Festival will run from Thursday, July 4, 2024, to Sunday, July 7, 2024. This four-day event promises to be a transformative experience, igniting Mombasa with the spirit of local enterprise and innovation, and paving the way for a thriving Kenyan manufacturing sector.