As stated in The Kenya Association of
Manufacturers (KAM), Manufacturing Priority Agenda 2024, export-led
industrialization is one of the association's four main foundations.
In an effort to increase export prospects
and help local manufacturers, particularly SMEs, reach outside markets, KAM met
with Felix Chege, CEO of Real Sources Africa.
Real Sources offers integrated financial,
marketing, logistical, collateral management, and insurance support on a single
platform, making trade between African firms easy.
Throughout the discussion, the Real Sources
CEO underscored that Real Sources provides access to financial partners,
industry information, and logistical support to facilitate seamless
cross-border trade across all 54 African countries.
He outlined the obstacles that stand in the
way of market access, including last-mile distribution, red tape, trust issues,
financial difficulties, and lack of market knowledge, as well as quick
transactions and growth.
RSA Boss went on to say that his
organisation's job is to break down these barriers by putting all the tools
your company requires on one platform so you can easily connect with buyers in
the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and other international
markets.
Anthony Mwangi, the Chief Executive of KAM,
agreed that export-led industrialization cannot be supported until the entire
supply chain is funded. This includes funding both upstream endeavours like
locating and processing raw materials and downstream endeavours like marketing
and distribution.
Manufacturers can improve their
competitiveness in international marketplaces and attain sustained economic
growth by fortifying the entire supply chain.
Following these conversations, both
companies decided to start a trial project to see if mutual involvement would
work.
This proactive move demonstrates our shared
dedication to assessing the viability of working together and realising the
full potential of trade alliances.