By Cyubahiro Bonaventure
KIGALI, November 10, 2026 — For thousands of small businesses across East Africa, expanding into neighbouring countries remains an ambition complicated by the realities of cross-border trade.
Despite regional efforts to promote economic integration, entrepreneurs continue to encounter difficulties transporting goods across national borders and accessing markets beyond their home countries. Those challenges took centre stage as more than 3,000 traders gathered in Rwanda’s capital for the 26th East African Community Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Trade Fair.
The exhibition, officially opened on November 3 by Rwanda’s Prime Minister, Dr Justin Nsengiyumva, has become a platform for businesses to display their products, establish commercial relationships and explore opportunities across the regional market.
But the discussions surrounding this year’s event have also highlighted a persistent question: how can East African countries make regional trade more accessible to the small businesses expected to benefit from economic integration?
Addressing the gathering, Nsengiyumva called on East African Community partner states to remove barriers that continue to restrict the movement of goods and limit entrepreneurs’ access to markets across the region.
He noted that although the trade fair had played an important role in promoting small and medium-sized enterprises since its establishment in 1999, traders continued to face difficulties when moving products across borders.
The concerns reflect a broader challenge facing regional economic integration. While businesses may see neighbouring countries as potential markets, the practical process of reaching consumers across borders can remain difficult.
Annette Ssemuwemba Mutaawe, the East African Community’s Deputy Secretary General in charge of Customs, Trade and Monetary Affairs, said progress had been made in helping small-scale entrepreneurs overcome some of the challenges associated with conducting business across the region.
Her remarks underscored the regional bloc’s efforts to improve the business environment and support greater participation by small enterprises in cross-border commerce.
For business representatives, however, regional cooperation must also extend beyond trade facilitation to include the exchange of knowledge and experience among entrepreneurs.
Josephat Rweimamu, chairman of the Confederation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises for East Africa, said initiatives were being pursued to help small-scale business operators learn from one another and share experiences that could strengthen their enterprises.
The eight-day exhibition brings together traders from East African Community member states, offering opportunities to showcase products and services, identify potential customers and establish partnerships with businesses operating in other countries.
For many participating enterprises, the exhibition represents an opportunity to move beyond domestic markets and build relationships that could support future expansion.
Yet the longer-term significance of the gathering may depend on whether the commitments to regional cooperation translate into practical improvements for traders.
Easier movement of goods, improved market access and stronger business networks remain central to the ambitions of East African entrepreneurs seeking to benefit from a more integrated regional economy.
