On the occasion of the World Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Day 27th June2020,under the theme; covid-19; the great lockdown and its impact on small businesses, a group of young
entrepreneurs from at least 33 out of the 47 Counties of Kenya held a virtual discussion to reflect on the impact of the covid 19 pandemic to their businesses under the umbrella of Youth Motion Kenya. Having been previously involved in the sustained discourse about the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) since 2018, the culmination of the discussion was that AfCFTA is undoubtedly the standard low hanging fruit for African MSEs, particularly youth owned, through which they would find some bearing and ground for re-establishment. In this regard, a plan of action was agreed upon that the forum revitalizes its engagement in the operationalization efforts of the AfCFTA agreement but innovatively under a unique brand name in Kiswahili language - AfCFTA KAZINI which translates to AfCFTA at Work. The caravan is therefore an advocacy medium spearheaded by young entrepreneurs from Kenya for African traders to demonstrate that they have not been deterred by the covid-19 pandemic to breathe life into AfCFTA particularly after the start of trading on 1st January 2021. The maiden
edition of AfCFTA KAZINI Caravan took place in November 2021 from Kenya, going through Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana and culminated into the Intra African Trade Fair (IATF) 2021 in Durban South Africa. The next Caravan is scheduled for November 2023 From Kenya to Ivory Coast traversing through eleven (11) Countries. OVERAL OBJECTIVE
To demystify the AfCFTA and its operationalization in simplified Versions, including local dialects, to youth in learning institutions and in cultural centres along the route countries culminating into the biennial Intra African Trade Fair (IATF) organized by the African Union and AfreximBank.
