Egypt garments chamber to establish 250 sqm Kenya hub as $3.4bn apparel exports drive East Africa expansion

Egypt’s Chamber of Apparel and Home Textile Industries at the Federation of Egyptian Industries (FEI) is launching an integrated support programme to help Egyptian manufacturers expand exports to Kenya and the wider East African market, including the establishment of a 250-square-metre showroom and logistics hub in Nairobi for small and medium-sized exporters. Mohamed Abdel Salam, Chairperson of the Apparel and Home Textile Chamber, said expanding into African markets has become one of the chamber’s top priorities as it seeks to strengthen the competitiveness of Egyptian manufacturers and create new export opportunities, particularly for SMEs. He described Kenya as one of Africa’s most strategic markets and a gateway to neighbouring East African countries, adding that the chamber is working to provide an integrated package of services to facilitate exports, reduce operational costs, and strengthen the presence of Egyptian products across the region. The initiative includes dedicated product display space in Kenya, warehouse and logistics facilities for product storage and consolidation, shipment tracking, timely delivery to customers, financial collection services through specialised teams, and administrative support to simplify export procedures. According to Abdel Salam, the programme is designed to ease logistical burdens on exporters, boost confidence in entering African markets, ensure the sustainable presence of Egyptian products in Kenya, and enhance their competitiveness while supporting Egypt’s broader export growth strategy. Bahia Nazim, a member of the chamber’s board, said the initiative aligns with Egypt’s policy of strengthening economic ties with African countries. She noted that Egypt exported $3.4bn worth of ready-made garments in 2025, making it one of Africa’s largest apparel exporters, and said the chamber aims to build on that performance by capitalising on the continent’s growing consumer market. Nazim added that the chamber is cooperating with Egyptian and Kenyan authorities, the Egyptian Industrial Exports Company, and El Gendy Trading to establish a logistics warehouse in Nairobi. The project will introduce a “ready-stock” model, enabling faster deliveries and after-sales services to improve customer satisfaction and support a long-term market presence. Ahmed Ezz El Din, another board member, said Egyptian manufacturers should maximise the benefits offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), which provide substantial tariff exemptions and reductions for Egyptian exports. He added that Egypt’s geographical proximity to East Africa, combined with improving land and maritime transport links, gives Egyptian exporters a competitive advantage by reducing shipping costs and transit times compared with more distant markets. Meanwhile, board member Nancy Salam announced that the chamber had approved the allocation of 250 square metres in Kenya to showcase and store products from Egyptian exporters. Under the initiative, the chamber will cover the cost of showroom and storage space for small and medium-sized companies that are members of its general assembly, helping them enter the Kenyan market, seize new export opportunities, and strengthen the competitiveness of Egyptian products across East Africa. The chamber expects the integrated logistics and marketing platform to provide Egyptian manufacturers with a stronger foothold in Kenya while serving as a launchpad for broader expansion across East African markets.The post Egypt garments chamber to establish 250 sqm Kenya hub as $3.4bn apparel exports drive East Africa expansion first appeared on Dailynewsegypt.