The NCBA China Business Immersion 2025 brought together Kenyan business owners and SME customers for an intense two-week China manufacturing and trade setting discovery.
October 12-23, 2025, was when the initiative aimed to establish sustainable and ethical business relationships and increase trade capacity among African businesses.
The tour was spearheaded by NCBA Bank’s Commercial and SME (CSME) business division and showcased the bank’s vision for connecting African businesses to the world and facilitating meaningful economic engagement through partnership, sustainability, and innovation.
The group had come from Nairobi to Shanghai on the 13th of October after a long flight.
After orientation and a welcome dinner at DoubleTree by Hilton Shanghai Hongqiao, participants spent their time getting accustomed to China’s high-speed business environment characteristic of the economic climate.
Two days later, the group went on a high-speed train to Yiwu, which is the world’s largest wholesale market, and they interacted with hundreds of industry suppliers that deal in electronics, textiles, health care products, and home appliances.
NCBA’s on-site organization and translation service helped clients locate products, compare prices, and negotiate directly with manufacturers.
Beyond boardrooms, participants immersed themselves in Yiwu’s cosmopolitan culture for example, a night market tour portraying the food diversity of the city.
NCBA China Business Immersion 2025 Sets Off on Green Innovation
From Yiwu, the group proceeded to Guangzhou, China’s southern trade center and venue of the renowned Canton Fair. With NCBA staff and local procurement agents, members toured the 138th Canton Fair’s huge exhibits in alternative energy, robotics, heavy equipment, textiles, and agricultural machinery.
Some of the notable highlights were the tour to Dongguan-based Maihe Cabinet Factory, which is a leader in green, made-to-measure furniture manufacturing.
Since it was established in 2009, Maihe has sustainability in all production levels, using ENF-certified green boards, advanced automation, and green technology.
The tour gave great exposure to Kenyan entrepreneurs on the aspect of green production and how green innovation can make them more competitive.
Connecting African Businesses to World Value Chains
During the span of the following days, attendees toured Guangzhou wholesale markets Dashato, Liuhua, Highin, and Canaan wading through electronics, fashion, and beauty products intended for African markets.
Highlights of evenings spent in cultural activities included the Pearl River Cruise Dinner, where business leaders brainstormed ideas among the city skyline.
The group visited Foshan City, a base for furniture, ceramics, and sanitary ware. The delegates were led through the means by which design technology and new materials are shaping the future of interior production something that they can leverage to strengthen Africa’s native industries.
Empowering Kenya’s SMEs Through Sustainable Trade Partnerships
The NCBA China Business Immersion 2025 ended on Oct. 23, the seventh day of business-to-business conferences, trade missions, and factory tours.
The final two days witnessed most of the participants inking supplier deals, shipping transactions, and considering the viability of a joint venture.
NCBA’s CSME division highlighted that this initiative was not merely a sourcing exercise it was a sustainable economic empowerment platform, equipped with entrepreneurs who had access to low-cost sourcing, innovation, and green production.
NCBA’s CSME business underlined that the programme was not merely a sourcing activity it was a sustainable economic empowerment platform, with businesses that savored low-cost sourcing, innovation, and environmentally friendly production.
These initiatives allow NCBA to further position Kenyan SMEs at the forefront of Africa-Asia trade, equipping them to compete in value chains across the world and drive business sustainability faster.
Future Ahead: Tap Sustainable Lessons from China
As the delegation returns to the country, the focus is on implementing what was learned from adopting green manufacturing models to streamlining logistics networks.
The Chinese lessons in efficiency, technology, and environmental consciousness can guide Kenya’s emerging industries, particularly in manufacturing, green energy, and design innovation.
NCBA has pledged support on a sustained basis to help clients convert these lessons into tangible business outcomes through funding, advisory, and trade facilitation.
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