NAIROBI – The Dawoodi Bohra community of Kenya has successfully concluded the inaugural Africa Trade Expo 2025 (ATE2025), a landmark three-day event that transformed the Catholic University of Eastern Africa grounds into a vibrant hub of commerce, innovation, and cross-border opportunity.
Held from 8th to 10th August, the expo brought together 225 exhibitors and 6,625 visitors from around the globe, creating an unprecedented platform for trade partnerships and showcasing East Africa’s economic dynamism.
Exhibitors represented eight strategic sectors: real estate, manufacturing, construction materials, healthcare and services, information technology and innovation, green energy and sustainability, agribusiness and fast-moving consumer goods, and home and interiors. Information Technology, Manufacturing, and Industrial Solutions led participation with 57 exhibitors, followed by Tourism and Hospitality (36) and Real Estate, Construction and Infrastructure (35). Notably, 50 exhibitors were SMEs, underlining the region’s growing entrepreneurial spirit.
Celebrating Entrepreneurship & Regional Growth
Speaking at the event, Shabbir Nomani, Chairman of the Dawoodi Bohra community in Nairobi, remarked:
“We are proud to celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship here today, where businesses of all sizes have been given a platform to seize new possibilities and forge paths to greater success. For the Dawoodi Bohras, faith and business values are welded together by principles that champion fair dealings and collective progress.”
Moiz Hassanali, Project Coordinator for ATE2025, emphasized East Africa’s strategic position:
“East Africa stands among Africa’s most dynamic and rapidly developing regions. With this Expo, we aimed to inspire entrepreneurs to harness our region’s youthful population as well as its diverse and expanding infrastructure for collective growth and prosperity.”
East Africa’s Economic Momentum
Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania continue to rank among the world’s fastest-growing economies, with expanding middle classes driving demand for premium goods and services. The Dawoodi Bohra community—long established in trade, manufacturing, and real estate—has played a key role in shaping this growth, creating jobs, nurturing skills, and encouraging innovation.
The Expo highlighted intra-regional trade gains as East African nations strengthen investment in border efficiency and transport networks. With support from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), businesses now enjoy greater access to a market of over 400 million people, reducing costs and accelerating trade.
Comprehensive Business Platform
ATE2025 united investors, policymakers, and industry leaders through product showcases, networking sessions, high-impact panel discussions, and deal-making opportunities. Tailored matchmaking services ensured exhibitors could connect with qualified leads from across East Africa and beyond.
Exhibitors praised the event’s tangible impact. Murtaza Ebrahimjee of Ebrahimjee and Mutai Advisory noted:
“The Expo offered us a direct platform to engage with dynamic entrepreneurs across East Africa. We’re thrilled by the opportunities for collaboration and expansion that the event has provided, and proud to contribute to the region’s industrial progress through quality manufacturing solutions.”
With its resounding success, ATE2025 has positioned itself as a signature event on Africa’s business calendar, driving sustainable growth, cross-border partnerships, and a united vision for East Africa’s economic future.