Nairobi, Monday, June 03, 2024. A major breakthrough for the local furniture sector has been launched in Kenya.
Furniture, woodwork, interior design and Finishing industries are set to undergo a significant metamorphosis in line with today’s fast-paced digital era thanks to FINTEX EAST AFRICA.
Speaking at the launch in Nairobi Ms. Christine Songole, the Chief Interior Designer at the State Department of Public Works described the venture as an eye-opening opportunity to learn from Ethiopian transformation of their furniture industry.
African Trusted Partners Founder and CEO, Akliele Belete and Mrs. Nellie Oduor – National Forest Products Research Program Director at Kenya Forest Research Institute (KEFRI).
The largest regionally endorsed furniture fair in Ethiopia will officially open on August 08, to 10, 2024 lasting 3 days three unique features: Cross Industry Networking, Business Matchmaking, Hosted Buyers, Summit and Exhibition gathering more than 500 local, regional and global brands.
“Globally, the furniture industry has undergone a lot of changes, including technological breakthroughs, industrialization, and shifting consumer preferences. As a ministry, we realized that there was a major gap and that is why we have started developing a furniture policy.”
— Ms. Songole
The Summit will have speakers from United Kingdom, Malaysia, Ethiopia among other nations welcoming premium guests raising the bar of international fair focused on contributing to the true commercial and branding value of the entire Furniture, woodwork, interior design and finishing industries.
“FINTEX is a Trade fair that addresses the true needs of both exhibitors, buyers when pioneering a new approach that minimizes foreign entrepreneurs and maximizes Kenyan origin, while also presenting new profiles annually, said Aklile Belete, founder and Chief Executive Officer-African Trusted Partners.
African Trusted Partners Founder and CEO, Akliele Belete.
During the launch, 3 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed between four different parties. The first MOU was between African Trusted Partners (ATP) and Kenya National Chamber of Commerce a partnership is for advocacy, sponsors, exhibitors to encourage, bolster and facilitate economic cooperation between the business communities across the East African region.
The second deal was between KEFRI and ATP on how to strategize the furniture industry, improve the industrial wood supply & alternative wood raw materials for furniture industry.
Whereas the local timber industry has encountered several problems ranging from environmental concerns, supply chain interruptions and increased competition created by imported fine products; speakers at the launch noted that for Kenya to compete globally, there is a greater need for the local furniture sector to embrace sustainability and job creation.
To reduce environmental impacts, encourage social responsibility, and guarantee meaningful economic viability to the local JuaKali sector Dr. Charles Kalomba called upon the Kenyan government and the private sector to embrace the journey started by FINTEX to help create enormous new jobs for youth and women.
“Transformation of the furniture industry that can only be achieved through concerted efforts from industry players, relevant government bodies, policies, and cultural transformation to align with global best practices; furthermore, the industry must handle worker safety, supply chain management, and production quality concerns,”
Engineer Kalomba.
According to Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) Kenya has a wood deficit of 16.6 million m3 per annum which is projected to increase by 26.5% by 2032 thus affecting goods and services drawn from bio- resources.
Mrs. Nellie Oduor National Forest Products Research Program Directorate KEFRI said that Kenya has depleted local natural resources from which the hardwoods come and while the country went into the softwoods because they were fast growing, all roads now lead to DRC (Congo) yet Kenya has the capacity to produce and even export more wood and furniture.
“Kenya is now 89% Semi-Arid and that is why we are looking at a fast-growing timber species similar to Mahogany and thank God we already have one in Melia Volkensii locally called Mukau growing in the dryland areas of Kenya,” said Mrs. Nellie Oduor.
Mrs. Nellie Oduor – National Forest Products Research Program Director at Kenya Forest Research Institute (KEFRI).
The last agreement was signed between ATP and the Association of Designers of Kenya (ADKE), a collaboration towards on organizing the summit addition to strengthening trade relations and fostering collaborative initiatives between the parties, the MoUs aim For his part, Dr. Samuel Maina, the head of Products, Association of Designers of Kenya (ADKE)stressed that FINTEX represents a significant addition to the ongoing series of events dedicated to the furniture and furnishings sector, all meticulously hosted and organized in Kenya.
A lecturer at the University of Nairobi’s Faculty of Art & Design, Dr. Maina added that the university is keen to ensure the success of this event, aiming to provide an exceptional edition that grants both residents and visitors of Nairobi a unique opportunity to explore the latest offerings in furniture supplies and modern home products.
“At Africa Trusted Partners (ATP), we are igniting change and cultivate growth in the African business landscape; our primary aim is to facilitate businesses in connecting, collaborating and achieving meaningful conversions through our expertly tailored business development strategies and specially curated events
– Aklile
Founded back in 2018 in Ethiopia, FINTEX has been proven to be a preferred meeting place for prominent industry players from around the Globe operating in the sectors, to close potential business deals in the East and Central Africa’s largest market.