Kenyan bank NCBA is launching its 2026 China Market Linkage Programme, now open to SMEs across four East African countries. The goal: connect more than 100 businesses to Chinese markets and suppliers before the year is out.
A Regional Programme — A First
NCBA's China Market Linkage & Business Exposure Programme is expanding this year to include commercial and SME banking customers for the first time. More than 100 businesses from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda are expected to take part in a 12-day trip to Beijing and Guangzhou from October 13 to 24, 2026. Registration closes on August 7, with a 50% non-refundable deposit required at sign-up.
The Itinerary: Factories, Canton Fair, and Tailored Meetings
The programme combines visits to advanced manufacturing facilities and industrial parks in Beijing, participation in the internationally renowned Canton Fair in Guangzhou — one of the world's largest trade exhibitions — and customised supplier meetings based on each participant's sector: agri-food, construction, hospitality, textiles, electronics, furniture, and consumer goods.
China: EAC's Top Trade Partner
The initiative reflects the growing weight of Sino-East African trade. In 2025, according to the East African Community, China remained the region's largest trading partner: exports reached $24 billion, imports totalled $20.3 billion. In Kenya alone, imports from China grew 16.5% to reach KES 671.25 billion in 2025.
A Competitiveness Lever for Regional SMEs
The stated objective goes beyond simple networking: NCBA aims to help East African SMEs identify competitive suppliers to cut import costs, and to explore export opportunities into China. In a context where regional national budgets for 2026-2027 are hitting record highs — $37 billion for Kenya, $24.3 billion for Tanzania — SME development has become a top-tier political priority.
Why It Matters
East Africa is posting the most dynamic growth rates on the continent in 2026. But the rise of SMEs is still constrained by limited access to international markets and competitive supply chains. Programmes like NCBA's begin to bridge that gap — and send a strong signal to other regional banking players: guiding businesses toward Asia is now a full banking product, not a one-off initiative.
Sources: Soko Directory, July 2026 · BiznaKenya, July 2026 · East African Community, 2025 data