Kenya and Tunisia have forged a groundbreaking partnership to empower women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), launching the inaugural Tunisian Food and Handcrafts Expo in Nairobi from June 16 to 18. The three-day event, a first of its kind in Kenya, aims to deepen economic and cultural ties while spotlighting the pivotal role of women entrepreneurs in driving Africa’s economic future.

Tunisian Ambassador to Kenya Anouar Ben Youssef, speaking at the opening ceremony, hailed the expo as a catalyst for bilateral trade and cultural exchange. “This is more than a celebration of Tunisian heritage—it’s a platform for economic synergy,” Youssef said. He highlighted a surge in trade, with bilateral exchanges reaching $28.5 million in 2024, up from $18 million in 2023. Tunisia now supplies 79% of Kenya’s olive oil, exporting 388 tonnes valued at $2 million last year.

The expo, held under the banner of South-South cooperation, seeks to foster business partnerships, encourage investment, and establish a “Tunisia-Kenya Women Business Network” to connect women entrepreneurs for mentorship and market access. Youssef noted that women lead 25% of startups in Tunisia, particularly in agribusiness and handicrafts, while Kenya boasts 50% of its SMEs owned by women, making the partnership a natural fit.

Kenya’s Deputy Director General of Africa Affairs, Amb. Dennis Mburu, represented the government and underscored the expo’s broader significance. “This platform reflects our shared vision of innovation and unity,” Mburu said. “Kenya welcomes Tunisian investors to explore opportunities in agro-processing, food production, and artisanal industries.” He stressed the need to address barriers to financing, markets, and training for women, calling their empowerment an “economic imperative.”

Leila Belkhiria Jaber, President of Tunisia’s National Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs and Vice Chair of the COMESA Federation of Women in Business, described the expo as a beacon of collaboration. “These women and youth in agriculture and handicrafts are rewriting African entrepreneurship,” she said. “When we unite across borders, we shape the future.”

Caroline Khamati Mugalla, Director of the ILO Country Office in Dar es Salaam, praised the expo as a model of sustainable development. “This is a powerful example of South-South cooperation, uniting changemakers to build opportunities rooted in local realities,” she said.

Vicky Karuga, President of the Federation of Women Entrepreneurs Kenya, called for ambitious cross-border collaboration. “This is strategic—a signal that African women are ready to trade, mentor, and dominate value chains from North to East,” she said.

The expo, showcasing Tunisian and Kenyan women’s products, marks a milestone in fostering economic empowerment and intra-African trade, with potential to inspire similar initiatives across the continent.