The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KNCCI) will on October 23rd – 24th host World Chambers Federation (WCF) President Peter Mihok and 59 chambers Presidents from the various African states in Nairobi for the Africa Chamber Leaders forum.

The two-day event will focus on fast-tracking the realization of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) as well as the preparedness of the business community on the continent. The event further recognizes that business leaders in Africa need to understand the opportunities arising from this agreement for local as well as foreign investors.

Other topics to be addressed during the event include cross-cutting challenges encountered by African chambers, how to build sustainable chambers in Africa, the role of the Pan African Chamber of Commerce & Industry in promoting intra Africa Trade and the AfCFTA potential as well as the Rio 2019 World Chambers Congress.

Speaking ahead of the planned event Kenya National Chamber of Commerce & Industry National Chairman, who doubles as one of the vice presidents representing Africa at the WCF, Kiprono Kittony termed the forum as timely and relevant to tackle existing hurdles in promoting intra Africa trade.

“We are pleased to be hosting the continental business leaders to discuss ways of improving intra Africa trade as there still exists multiple trade barriers that favor trade with other countries in other continents. We believe that the discussions we intend to hold will chart a way forward towards unlocking the potential of opening up trade amongst African businesses and provide new innovative ways to tackle existing bottlenecks to governments and other non-state players,” said Kittony.

The event will also be used to inform the visiting delegations on the Blue Economy Conference set to be hosted in Nairobi in November under the theme “Blue Economy and the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development” focused on new technologies and innovation for oceans, seas, lakes and rivers as well as the challenges, potential opportunities, priorities and partnerships.