ITC And Equity Group Partner To Boost SME Exports
The International Trade Centre (ITC) and Equity Group Holdings have launched a new partnership to improve access to finance, export training and international markets for small businesses across East Africa.
The initiative will initially focus on the coffee, leather and creative industries, combining ITC’s trade development expertise with Equity Group’s regional banking network and its Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan.
The programme will begin with a pilot phase in Kenya through December 2026 before expanding to other East African markets from 2027.
Financing And Skills To Drive Export Growth
The partnership aims to address two of the biggest challenges facing micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs): limited access to finance and insufficient export expertise.
ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton said access to funding must be supported by practical business and trade skills.
“We know that access to finance is critical for small businesses, but it has to be matched with the right skills to use it effectively. That’s why we’re partnering with Equity Bank to ensure small businesses across East Africa can tap both financing and trade expertise to move up the value chain and compete in global markets, from leather to the creative industries.”
Regional Banking Network Supports Expansion
Equity Group Holdings operates banking subsidiaries in:
- Kenya
- Uganda
- Rwanda
- Tanzania
- South Sudan
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
The regional footprint provides a platform for expanding the initiative beyond Kenya while strengthening regional value chains.
Equity Group Managing Director and CEO Dr James Mwangi said the collaboration would connect entrepreneurs with finance, market intelligence and export opportunities.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to unlocking the immense potential within Africa’s value chains by connecting entrepreneurs, producers and creatives to regional and global markets.”
Coffee Exporters To Receive Specialised Training
The programme includes targeted support for East Africa’s coffee sector through the European Union-funded Market Access Upgrade Programme Phase II.
Training scheduled between June and September 2026 will cover:
- Export logistics
- Price risk management
- Specialty coffee quality
- Coffee processing techniques
The partners will also assist coffee and leather exporters in meeting the requirements of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which introduces stricter sustainability and traceability standards for products entering EU markets.
Leather And Creative Industries Also Prioritised
In the leather sector, the initiative will contribute to the midterm review of the East African Community Leather and Leather Products Strategy 2020–2030.
Support will include:
- Product design coaching for footwear manufacturers
- Standards harmonisation across East African Community member states
- E-commerce development to improve online sales
The creative industries programme will focus on sectors including:
- Music
- Film
- Gaming
- Digital media
- Performing arts
- Fashion
- Crafts
The initiative will begin with market assessments before expanding into business development support, financing solutions and export promotion.
Helping SMEs Access Global Markets
Participating businesses will gain access to ITC’s trade market intelligence tools and the SME Trade Academy, an online learning platform designed to strengthen export capacity.
By combining trade finance with technical support and market access, the partnership aims to help East African SMEs become more competitive in regional and international markets while strengthening value-added industries across the region.