The governments of Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo in partnership with Equity Group to lead a 15-day trade mission to DRC in an effort to deepen trade relations between the two nations.
The Kenya-DRC Trade Mission is targeting over 200 investors and business participants from Kenya, and a similar number from DRC will be held between 29th November and 13th December 2021.
The Trade Mission will highlight trade and investment opportunities in DRC and in line with both governments’ agenda of fostering regional trade and driving business growth by unlocking investment opportunities in East and Central Africa.
“DRC is the 6th leading export destination for Kenyan products in the world with agricultural and manufactured goods topping the list. This Trade Mission will strengthen service and product investment between the two nations, and we are looking to explore more partnership opportunities in various sectors of the economy. It will boost trade and development which in turn translates into an economic win for the region and the greater Sub-Saharan Africa,” Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Trade, Industrialization and Enterprise Development Dr Betty Maina said Monday during the announcement.
Equity Group, through Equity Bank Kenya and EquityBCDC, its DRC banking subsidiary, will support to facilitate the trade mission by mobilizing SME entrepreneurs, championing the networking, and matching of local businesses to their counterparts in both the DRC and Kenya and by coordinating the trade mission.
“Equity Group believes in championing the economic prosperity of the people of Africa and we are excited to create a platform that encourages the networking and benchmarking of business opportunities while at the same time availing market intelligence, key elements that promote the growth and success of enterprises in the East and Central African region in line with Equity’s post-COVID Africa resilience and growth plan,” Equity Group Managing Director and CEO Dr James Mwangi said.
“We have Kshs 500 billion available to support and facilitate private sector and the business community to grow and expand their businesses in Kenya and the region,” he added.
Equity has operated in DRC since 2015 and has grown to become the 2nd largest bank in DRC.
Mr Botuli Bosaw Geoffrey, Second Secretary in the DRC Embassy, Kenya said, there is significant untapped potential in DRC.
“By empowering local SMEs and fostering foreign investment in the country, we shall awaken an economic giant and increase trade and investment inflows and outflows. We look forward to hosting the Kenyan delegation and will facilitate and support them during their fifteen-day trade mission in our country.”
