China-Kenya trade ties in the fashion, lifestyle, and consumer goods sectors are set for a significant boost as nearly 120 companies from both countries prepare to participate in the third edition of the East Africa Fashion Life Show at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi.
The three-day exhibition, co-hosted by Afripeak Expo Kenya Ltd and the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), will run from August 13 to 15, 2026.
It will bring together manufacturers, exporters, designers, retailers, distributors, and professional buyers from Kenya, China, and across East Africa.
Close to 100 Chinese companies from provinces including Hunan, Zhejiang, Shandong, and Anhui will participate alongside about 20 Kenyan companies.
The exhibition will showcase textiles and apparel, footwear, fashion accessories, household goods, home décor, beauty and personal care products, wigs and hair products, baby products, toys, home appliances, consumer electronics, lighting, watches and clocks, and printing and packaging products.
KNCCI President Dr. Erick Rutto said the exhibition would give Kenyan businesses a valuable platform to connect with international partners.
“This regional exhibition presents an exceptional opportunity for Kenyan businesses to showcase their products, connect with buyers, distributors, manufacturers and investors from Kenya, China and across the East African region, and explore new export and trade opportunities,” he said.
A major highlight of the 2026 edition will be two specialised buyer-supplier matchmaking sessions focused on watches and clocks, and home appliances and consumer electronics, designed to move beyond product displays and generate concrete commercial outcomes.
The event will also give greater prominence to Kenya’s own fashion industry, with local design institutions expected to participate in a fashion showcase featuring contemporary apparel and emerging trends.
Afripeak Managing Director Gao Wei said the growth of the show reflects strong demand for direct trade platforms connecting manufacturers with African buyers.
“The continued growth of the East Africa (Kenya) Fashion Life Show demonstrates the strong demand for practical trade platforms that connect manufacturers directly with African buyers and industry partners,” he said.
The 2025 edition attracted more than 70 exhibitors, and Afripeak has since built a database of more than 35,000 professional buyers across Kenya and the wider East African region.
Organisers are positioning Nairobi as a potential regional base for international companies seeking to establish distribution networks, warehousing, assembly, branding, and e-commerce operations on the continent.
