More than 300 companies and approximately 15,000 delegates are expected to participate in the 2026 Africa International Construction Machinery, Mining Machinery, Agricultural Machinery, Automobile and Motorcycle Parts, Electromechanical and Hardware Products Expo (AICMEC 2026), set to take place at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi from June 17 to 19.
Speaking during a pre-exhibition media briefing in Nairobi on Monday, organizers said the expo will serve as a key platform for strengthening trade, investment, technology transfer, and industrial cooperation between China and Africa.
The event, themed “Manufacturing Africa, Building the Future Together,” is jointly organized by the Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest), the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), the Organizing Committee of the Changsha International Construction Equipment Exhibition (CICEE), and several Chinese exhibition partners.
According to Zhou Hang, President and Vice Director Manager of Hunan Power City International Exhibition Co., Ltd., the exhibition will occupy approximately 10,000 square metres and feature eight specialized exhibition zones covering construction machinery, mining equipment, agricultural machinery, automobiles, motorcycles, hardware products, and industrial equipment.
Leading Chinese manufacturers including SANY, Zoomlion and XCMG are expected to showcase products and solutions tailored for the East African market.
Organizers said nearly 5,000 buyers from 15 countries have already registered for the expo, including more than 1,300 verified procurement representatives from sectors such as construction, engineering, mining, agriculture, energy and manufacturing.
Ding Guiping, Director Manager of Hongxing Sparkle International Exhibition, said the event will focus on generating tangible business outcomes through targeted buyer-seller matchmaking.
He noted that seven industry-specific business matching sessions and four technical inspection tours will be organized to connect African buyers with suppliers in construction machinery, mining equipment, automotive parts, motorcycles, electromechanical products and hardware.
“The true value of an exhibition lies not only in showcasing products but in creating business opportunities and long-term partnerships,” said Ding.
The organizers also confirmed that exhibition infrastructure has been completed, with machinery and equipment already arriving for installation ahead of the official opening on June 17.
Speaking on behalf of KNCCI, Richard Ndungu, National Chairperson of the Kenya-China (Asia) Trade and Investment Promotion Initiative and Chairman of the KNCCI Kiambu Chapter, described the expo as a strategic platform for advancing Kenya’s industrialization agenda and expanding trade opportunities with China.
Ndungu said the event comes at a pivotal time following China’s zero-tariff policy for eligible African exports, creating new opportunities for Kenyan products to access the Chinese market.
He emphasized that the expo would facilitate business partnerships, technology transfer, equipment financing, investment opportunities and market expansion for Kenyan enterprises.
Beyond the exhibition, participants will attend a series of forums and business events, including the Construction Machinery Going to Africa Development Conference, Government-Business Dialogue Session, East Africa Automotive, Motorcycle and Hardware Industry Promotion Conference, and several investment and business matchmaking meetings.
Organizers expressed confidence that the expo will become one of East Africa’s most influential industrial exhibitions, helping accelerate industrial development while deepening economic and trade cooperation between China and Africa.
