EAC-EU Trade, Competitiveness & Investment Summit

February 1^st - 4^th 2027

Why Should You Attend?

Get in front of European investors and buyers
Meet investors in the leather, packaging and horticulture value chains

Get ahead of the market
Learn what European markets want straight to the buyers

Buid long-lasting partnerships
Dedicated and facilitated networking sessions to ensure sustainability

Walk away investment-ready
Attend sessions to learn about practical investment tools and financing pathways

The ITC Packaging Directory is Live

Find Trusted Packaging Suppliers in East Africa

Dear Valued SME Partner,
We are pleased to remind you that the ITC Packaging Directory is now live and accessible to SMEs across East Africa.

The platform launched in November 2025 at the MSMEs Trade Fair in Nairobi and is designed to help SMEs easily identify reliable, SME-friendly packaging manufacturers and distributors in the region.

Through the Directory, you can:

Find verified and certified packaging suppliers
Compare services and solutions tailored for SMEs
Reduce packaging sourcing time and costs
Improve product presentation and market competitiveness

Visit the Directory Today

EU-EAC MARKUP II Academy

Online Training Platform

Welcome to the European Union (EU) East African Community (EAC) Market Access Upgrade Programme (EU-EAC MARKUP II) Academy! A learning space to support SMEs improve their competitiveness and access to export markets.

Enrol and access for free training programmes and resources to strengthen SMEs competencies, capabilities and processes for improved competitiveness and access to market.

Through this learning space you can access courses for self-paced e-learning, a knowledge depository and, for BSOs, resources to organize scalable workshops. Some of the courses target all types of SMEs while others are targeting specific sectors such as coffee or packaging.

Participants also have access to a virtual learning space where they can exchange experiences, tips and business ideas among themselves and interact with trade professionals.

Ready to expand your business globally?

Join the Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP II) funded by the European Union (EU).

The programme is designed to improve livelihoods, create employment opportunities and enhance export competitiveness for MSMEs in select value chains across Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

What you will get:

Export readiness training
Branding and digital skills training
Access to international markets
Access to financial advisory services
Mentoring with international experts and so much more!

Apply now to start your journey to global success

Results — Impact — People

How EU-EAC MARKUP II Is Making a Difference

Beyond the Raw Commodity: TanSpice’s Bet on Tanzanian Spices

South Sudan’s Gum Arabic Belt: Two Entrepreneurs, One Journey in Resilience

The Cocoa Cooperatives Shaping Uganda’s Cocoa Sector

Nashipai Leather: Growing Kenya’s Leather Industry - One Stich at a Time

A Closer Look at the Entrepreneurs Working in Burundi’s Essential Oils and Tea Sector

Unlocking MSMEs' potential through value addition and promoting their access to markets

Visit our partner states

Our Feed

that bulk their harvests together and negotiate with international buyers as one.

🔗 Learn how organizing at scale, with support from MARKUP II has transformed outcomes for Uganda's cocoa cooperatives: https://t.co/XZG3gmgNbb
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) August 31, 2026

🍫 MARKUP II Entrepreneurs Spotlight: Uganda's Cocoa Cooperatives

In unity, there is strength. That is how smallholder cocoa farmers in Uganda's Bwamba and Rwenzori regions came together to form 60+ member cooperatives - pic.twitter.com/mSGEPQBtOZ
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) August 31, 2026

everything from soft drinks, sweets to pharmaceuticals.

Sabit Asholi of Precise Enterprise and Agol Kuc of Nile Organics are two entrepreneurs tapping directly into South Sudan's gum arabic potential.

Though they may have started their companies from different points;
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) August 28, 2026

- the exact gap MARKUP II works to close for SMEs across East Africa.

🔗 Learn more about the Kenya-based, full-grain leather brand now selling as far as New York: https://t.co/ss0IGJZdEj @jumuiya | @EUinKenya | @ITCnews
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) August 27, 2026

🧵 MARKUP II SME Spotlight: South Sudan's Gum Arabic Entrepreneurs

South Sudan sits on one of the largest gum arabic belts on the African continent.

And though you may not have heard of gum arabic, you've definitely consumed it. As it’s an essential stabilizer and binder in - pic.twitter.com/j9XKcFPWme
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) August 28, 2026

📢 EU-EAC MARKUP II Entrepreneur Spotlight: Nashipai Leather

What turns a great product into an export ready one?

For Cindy Kwak of Nashipai Leather, it was a mix between expert craftsmanship, quality and the right kind of support - pic.twitter.com/6JjJUE0ZR7
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) August 27, 2026

Register today to strengthen your ability to better serve women-led and women-owned enterprises

🗓️ Apply by Friday, August 28th – through this link: https://t.co/3FsjVRHPtz @FAO | @ITCnews
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) August 25, 2026

📢 Call for Applications: Gender-Inclusive Finance Training & Coaching

Are you a capital provider in the EAC? MARKUP II is inviting applications for training on the FAO -ITC Gender-Inclusive Financial Training. pic.twitter.com/41YBkkOiZI
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) August 25, 2026

📢 Happy World Entrepreneurs Day

We’ll be showcasing EU-EAC MARKUP II supported SMEs, and the entrepreneurs behind them.

Meet Cindy Kwak, the entrepreneur behind Kenyan leather brand: Nashipai Leather.

🔗 Learn more about her journey here: https://t.co/exGvCA58Ek pic.twitter.com/4LhbpZwOfI
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) August 21, 2026

📦 Find us at Interplast Pack Africa, Sarit Centre, Nairobi

Visit our booth to hear from Zippy, Grace and Nancy, and learn more about our Packaging Directory 📦

You can find us at Booth Number: AB 23 A, today and tomorrow from 10am till 4pm pic.twitter.com/kJvTtqIRyI
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) August 21, 2026

📢 EU-EAC MARKUP II hosted a Regional Peer Learning initiative in Kigali ( 3rd – 5th August) on digital and paperless trade. The session brought together customs authorities, ministries and private sector representatives from across East Africa
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) August 18, 2026

📦 EU-EAC MARKUP II has delivered a series of packaging training workshops to SMEs and packaging manufacturers and suppliers in the United Republic of Tanzania. These trainings aim to facilitate better packaging, better products and better market opportunities for SMEs. pic.twitter.com/v2pJ3kIS8l
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) August 17, 2026

🌍 Happy International Youth Day! 🌍

We're incredibly proud to support youth entrepreneurs - because youth are the future! pic.twitter.com/4efTpz0s9g
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) August 12, 2026

Through the Youth Agribusiness Accelerator, we supported 90 agripreneurs from Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda, to turn their ambitions into market-ready businesses.

Your agribusiness could be next!

🔗 Learn more about our youth program here: https://t.co/2medOgkiF6
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) August 12, 2026

@ashokaea | @AfricaHarvestKe | @hivecolab | @WSH_Kigali | @EUinKenya | @EUinUG | @EUinRW | @jumuiya
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) August 12, 2026

📌 Save the date:

We’re launching the EAC Leather Value Chain Development Initiative! Two online sessions from September 2– 3 . Bringing together East African, Portuguese & European partners for a more competitive, sustainable leather sector.

Register:https://t.co/3FsjVRHPtz pic.twitter.com/OABTBgj9Dr
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) August 10, 2026

two agri-SMEs who share their reflections on Nane Nane Day and how MARKUP II support has transformed their businesses!

🔗 Learn more about their journey’s here: https://t.co/egVXJWm50y @EUinTZ | @jumuiya | @EABCjumuiya
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) August 8, 2026

👩🏾‍🌾🌱 Happy Nane Nane Day!

Today, we're celebrating Tanzanian agri-SMEs who are turning farmers' hard work into global market access opportunities!

Read our new feature story on Asilia Products & AIS Solutions; pic.twitter.com/i42DV6Qb9x
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) August 8, 2026

📢 MARKUP II is exhibiting at Interplast Pack East Africa, 20th - 22nd Aug, Booth AB41, Sarit Expo Centre, Nairobi.

Visit us to explore the East Africa Packaging Directory; connecting MSMEs with verified packaging suppliers across the region.

See you there! pic.twitter.com/H5QpTIJGsn
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) August 7, 2026

📢 From July 21 – 25 ; we hosted regional East African participants for our Leather Product Manufacturing Training at KIRDI led by expert Essangui Mbaitjongue.

If you missed out, watch the recap here:https://t.co/Fzl2Hv3vQr @kirdi_kenya | @jumuiya | @EABCjumuiya pic.twitter.com/PweEjRFFHH
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) August 5, 2026

🥑 Avocado exporters & processors - apply by Aug 15!

🇷🇼 Rwanda Call for: HortiLogistica Africa + Fruit Maturity Testing Equipment
🇺🇬 Uganda: Call for HortiLogistica Africa
🇧🇮 Burundi: HortiLogistica Africa (Appel à candidatures)

🔗 Apply here: https://t.co/3FsjVRHPtz
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) August 3, 2026

📢 Packaging shouldn't be what holds your business back.

Visit our Packaging Supplier Directory that connects East African SMEs to verified, trustworthy, packaging suppliers

🔗 Visit today https://t.co/sALYb9jBgq pic.twitter.com/n9TJcXmBpi
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) July 31, 2026

📢 SMEs: want to enhance your competitiveness and learn how to access export markets?

Double-certified trainer, Doreen Ahebwa, has already helped 100+ businesses use data-driven tools to navigate trade. Your SME could be next! pic.twitter.com/cGvArUk4yi
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) July 30, 2026

📌Access free training today through the EAC-EU MARKUP II Academy: https://t.co/SeNj3GnxnH #SME #training
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) July 30, 2026

📢 🇺🇬 Host an EU Coffee Buyer - MARKUP II is offering targetted support to Ugandan coffee exporters to host EU coffee buyers during the coffee harvest and marketing season.

Learn more and apply today: https://t.co/3FsjVRHPtz pic.twitter.com/3dW4Xz6UFP
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) July 28, 2026

📢 🇷🇼 Rwandan Avocado Exporters – MARKUP II is offering NIR Maturity Meters to help you make better harvesting decisions and meet buyer requirements in export markets.

Up to 5 devices will be supplied

Apply through this link: https://t.co/3FsjVRHPtz @RwandAgriExport pic.twitter.com/umcjVy9FGu
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) July 27, 2026

On International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent, we celebrate women transforming East Africa’s coffee value chains. Through EU-EAC MARKUP II & @ITC_SheTrades MSMEs & households are building more inclusive, productive and resilient businesses

🔗https://t.co/WHUxKjr8Zz pic.twitter.com/UV2s3nmdZd
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) July 25, 2026

📢🇧🇮 Exportateurs et transformateurs d'avocats burundais - MARKUP II vous invite à postuler pour un soutien financier conditionnel afin de participer à HortiLogistica Africa 2026 à Arusha, en Tanzanie (8–10 novembre)

🔗 Postulez dès maintenant https://t.co/3FsjVRHPtz pic.twitter.com/rIMRgxSSvR
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) July 22, 2026

📢 🇺🇬 Ugandan Avocado Exporters & Processors:

MARKUP II & HortiFresh are offering conditional support to attend HortiLogistica Africa 2026 in Arusha, Tanzania (November 8th – 10th)

8 companies will be selected

Apply before August 15th : https://t.co/3FsjVRHPtz pic.twitter.com/YWmBE1EYY1
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) July 21, 2026

📢 Expression of Interest: MARKUP II is seeking an institutional partner to strengthen the East African leather & footwear value chain
Open to Non-profits, sector associations, training/research orgs with proven sector expertise
— EAC MARKUP (@eacmarkup) July 17, 2026