Nairobi, Kenya – October, 2026: NCBA today convened a regional pre-departure briefing forum for more than 100 Small, Medium and Large Enterprise customers from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda who will participate in the Bank’s 2026 China Market Linkage & Business Exposure Programme.
The forum provided participants with market intelligence, practical business insights and networking opportunities ahead of the 12-day business immersion programme scheduled for 13th to 24th October 2026 in Beijing and Guangzhou, China.
This year’s programme marks a significant milestone as the first time NCBA is bringing together customers from across its East African markets into a single regional business exposure initiative. The delegation of over 100 entrepreneurs and business leaders will explore opportunities to expand trade, strengthen supplier networks, access new technologies and gain first-hand exposure to one of the world’s largest manufacturing and trading economies.
Speaking during the regional customer briefing forum, Dennis Njau, Group Director, Retail Banking at NCBA, said the programme demonstrates the Bank’s commitment to supporting businesses beyond traditional financing.
“Businesses need more than financing to compete in an increasingly interconnected world. They need access to knowledge, technology, markets, networks and the right partnerships. Through this programme, we are providing our customers with practical exposure to one of the world’s most dynamic trading ecosystems while creating opportunities that can translate into tangible business growth and long-term business relationships.”
As trade and investment linkages between East Africa and China continue to deepen, the programme aims to equip businesses with the knowledge, connections and market access required to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving global marketplace.
As Kenya seeks to rebalance its trade relationship with China, where the trade deficit is estimated at over KSh500 billion, the opportunity extends beyond sourcing from China to accessing the Chinese market as an export destination. The Kenya–China Early Harvest Agreement provides duty-free access to approximately 98.2 per cent of Chinese tariff lines for eligible Kenyan exports, creating new opportunities for businesses to identify buyers and partners, expand exports and tap into one of the world’s largest consumer markets.
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The programme will expose participants to some of China’s leading manufacturing, agribusiness, electronics, construction, automotive, consumer goods, renewable energy and technology ecosystems, creating opportunities to identify new suppliers, strengthen supply chains, explore emerging trends and unlock new avenues for growth. Participants will also engage in structured business-to-business networking and gain practical insights into international trade, sourcing, logistics and market access.
During the visit, participants will engage directly with manufacturers, exporters and international suppliers, tour advanced industrial parks and production facilities, and attend the internationally renowned Canton Fair in Guangzhou, one of the world’s largest trade exhibitions. They will also explore wholesale markets aligned to their industries and business interests, helping them identify strategic partnerships, innovative products and commercially viable opportunities for expansion.
NCBA will further support customers in translating opportunities identified during the programme into sustainable business outcomes through its comprehensive suite of Trade Finance, Working Capital, Asset Finance, Commercial Lending, Foreign Exchange, Treasury and Transaction Banking solutions. These capabilities are reinforced by the Bank’s regional footprint, enabling businesses to navigate cross-border trade and scale their operations across markets.
By bringing together business leaders from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda, the programme will also foster stronger regional networks, encourage knowledge sharing and support collaboration opportunities that contribute to the growth of intra-African trade and regional value chains.
The 2026 China Market Linkage & Business Exposure Programme reflects NCBA’s purpose of Banking on Belief, Empowering Ambition by connecting businesses to the markets, insights, networks and opportunities they need to grow, innovate and compete in an increasingly global economy.
