Regional instability is severely hindering cross-border trade in East Africa, with stakeholders at the 3rd Industrialisation Conference emphasizing the critical need for peace and cohesion to boost intra-Africa commerce. Investment CS Lee Kinyanjui highlighted post-election violence in Tanzania as a concern for Kenya's trade and investment stability.

• In 2024, Kenya exported over Sh60 billion in goods to Tanzania and imported nearly Sh56 billion.
• KAM CEO Tobias Alando stated that regional instability negatively impacts local economies, emphasizing mutual reliance within the region.
• CS Kinyanjui estimated it could take 50 years to absorb Kenya's youth into meaningful employment without radical policy shifts towards sustainable industrial jobs, with manufacturing being key.