The second edition of the Somalia–Kenya & Diaspora Trade Week was held on 12–13 February 2026 at BBS Mall, drawing entrepreneurs and policymakers from both countries for discussions on strengthening economic cooperation.
The forum, staged in the Eastleigh business district of Nairobi, highlighted expanding commercial ties following Somalia’s entry into the East African Community.
Opening the event, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for EAC and Regional Development, Beatrice Askul, noted that improved regional integration and growing diaspora engagement are reshaping trade flows.
Somalia’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Gamal Mohamed Hassan, said ongoing reforms in Somalia are making the market more attractive to investors. Recent trade data presented at the forum showed increases in import and export activity between Somalia and Kenya, with Kenyan goods continuing to account for a significant share of Somalia’s purchases.
This year’s programme expanded beyond goods trade to include service providers from the health, education and technology sectors.
Among the exhibitors was The Nairobi West Hospital, which used the platform to outline how access to healthcare supports labour productivity and business continuity.
The hospital’s Head of Nursing, Susan Wakaruigi, said that reliable health services can reduce absenteeism and strengthen workforce resilience.
Participants also raised persistent challenges affecting bilateral commerce, including high transport costs, logistical delays and concerns about operating conditions in parts of Somalia.
Some small and medium-sized businesses urged authorities to prioritise infrastructure upgrades and streamline customs procedures to lower the cost of cross-border trade. Kenyan exporter Ahhmed Sali said that reducing non-tariff barriers would help maintain investor confidence.
Despite these concerns, exhibitors and delegates pointed to opportunities in joint ventures, regional logistics hubs and emerging digital trade platforms. Organisers reported an increase in attendance from SMEs, educators and health providers compared with last year, describing it as evidence of widening interest in cross-sector collaboration.
As Somalia deepens its participation in regional markets and diaspora investors continue to engage in both countries, the 2026 Trade Week underscored growing momentum to strengthen commercial links—while acknowledging that practical hurdles still need to be addressed for the benefits to be broadly shared.
