The County Government of Nakuru will host a major Business Expo that will bring together corporate organizations and businesses drawn from different sectors of the economy to showcase their products, services and capacity to serve the market in different counties.
The event aims to provide a platform for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), cooperatives, manufacturers, and investors to engage, network, and showcase their innovations.
County Chief Officer for Trade, Benard Sang, explained that the Expo will provide a valuable platform for businesses, investors, exhibitors and entrepreneurs to showcase products and services, network and explore new opportunities for growth.
The aim, Sang added, was to bring different businesses, stakeholders and exhibitors together across the counties, to have a conversation on sustainable partnership in trade and development from May 28th to May 30th this year.
He said the event was expected to attract participants from the tourism, hospitality, trade, medical, investment and government sectors adding that the expo would feature exhibitions, conferences and business-to-business engagements to strengthen collaboration within the industry.
The Chief Officer indicated that the event that will be held at the Rift Valley Sports Club, was part of the efforts by the County Government to attract both local and foreign investments and create employment opportunities.
The Expo themed “Connecting Trade, Tourism, and Investment for Inclusive Growth,” will target critical sectors of the economy like building and construction, agriculture, manufacturing, oil, gas and energy, mining, water, auto industry among others.
Speaking during the Nakuru Trade Expo 2026 stakeholders’ briefing, Mr Sang explained that the event will also showcase latest technologies and innovations that are critical in enabling local companies, to compete at the same level with their counterparts globally.
“The Nakuru Trade Expo 2026 is a strategic platform that brings together MSMEs, cooperatives, manufacturers, and investors for meaningful engagement. It provides opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange, and showcasing innovations that drive our country forward,” noted the Chief Officer.
He added that the Expo seeks to promote socio-economic growth through trade, tourism and investment, while encouraging sustainable and responsible business practices among enterprises and stakeholders.
Sang emphasized that trade remains central to empowering small businesses, creating jobs, attracting investments, and uplifting the livelihoods of Nakuru residents.
He highlighted the importance of the Wezesha Biashara Fund, County Cooperative Revolving Fund and the Enterprise Fund, three newly established financial programs offering affordable loans at low interest rates to cooperatives, startups, and small businesses.
“These funds aim to promote financial inclusion and strengthen local enterprises,” he explained.
He said the Expo is expected to lay out a blueprint for investors who need to know opportunities the county has to offer, and called on the business community to take advantage of the event and learn of the opportunities available.
The Chief Officer further said this was an opportune time for other business players to come and grow networks, adding that the Expo will also provide a platform for emerging entrepreneurs, with particular attention to high schools and college students.
He indicated that by involving students in the Expo, they were targeting to inspire and cultivate entrepreneurial skills among the youth, ensuring they are well-prepared to contribute to the economy.
The Official explained that the approach reflects a broader strategy of linking education, agriculture and manufacturing in a way that benefits the city.
The Expo will further offer local companies the opportunities for partnerships that offer the best route for them to go global.
At the same time, the Expo will also feature a series of smaller meetings focusing on various topics, key among them investment, public-private partnerships, youth engagement and governance.
The young innovators, Mr Sang added, will have the opportunity to showcase their ideas and products, fostering a new generation of business leaders.
“The expo will also focus on the environment and waste management, renewable energy, agribusiness, infrastructure, real estate and information technology-enabled services,” he stated.
The County government, the Chief Officer added, wanted to use its potential in geothermal energy, agriculture and real estate, to market itself as the ideal investment destination.
He said various studies had confirmed that Nakuru County had the most friendly-tax regime in the country, coupled with good governance, making it a favorable destination for both local and international investors.
By Esther Mwangi
