IndoNEX 2025 promises gateway to Indonesia's $1.4 trillion market

Now in its third year, the Indonesia-Kenya Business and Education Expo has grown exponentially - from 9 participating companies in 2023 to 27 in 2025 - reflecting the deepening trade ties between the two nations.

With bilateral trade reaching $500 million in 2024 and growing, IndoNEX 2025 promises to be the most significant edition yet under the theme Grow Your Business with Indonesia".

Indonesia, the world's fourth-most populous country with 284 million people, represents an enormous untapped market for Kenyan exporters and businesses.

As Southeast Asia's largest economy with a GDP of $1.4 trillion, Indonesia serves as a strategic gateway to the broader Asian market - a region home to over half of the world's population.

"Indonesia is not just one market; it's your entry point to all of Asia," said a spokesperson of the Indonesian Embassy in Nairobi during a pre-event media briefing.

"For Kenyan businesses in agriculture, manufacturing, technology, and services, Indonesian partnerships can transform your regional presence into a continental one."

The numbers speak for themselves. IndoNEX 2023 generated $1.12 million in potential transaction value with just 9 companies. In 2024, with 27 companies participating, that figure nearly doubled to $2.15 million - a 92% increase.

Over 400 business participants attended last year's event, with several partnerships progressing from initial meetings to signed agreements and active trade relationships.

The 2025 edition aims to surpass $3 million in potential deals, building on momentum from previous years.

"What makes IndoNEX unique is that it's not just an exhibition - it's a matchmaking platform," explained a spokesperson for the Indonesian Embassy in Nairobi.

"Every company here is vetted, every meeting is purposeful, and the relationships formed extend far beyond the two-day event."

IndoNEX 2025 brings together Indonesian businesses across six strategic sectors, including aviation, agro-technology, FMCG, hospitality and mining, each offering distinct opportunities for Kenyan partners.

Beyond business, IndoNEX 2025 also features a dedicated education fair showcasing scholarship opportunities at three prestigious Indonesian universities: Institut Teknologi Sepuluh November (ITS) Surabaya, Atma Jaya University Yogyakarta, and President University.

The Indonesian government offers fully-funded scholarships through the KNB (Kemitraan Negara Berkembang) and TIAS programs, covering tuition, accommodation, and living expenses for Kenyan students pursuing degrees in engineering, business, social sciences, and languages.

With Indonesia positioning itself as a global manufacturing hub, Kenyan businesses that establish relationships with the country which hosts the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) headquarters will be well-positioned for long-term growth as Asian-African trade corridors strengthen.

Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1979, Indonesia and Kenya have built a relationship with current bilateral trade valued at $500 million.

Indonesia exports crude palm oil, paper, textiles, and soap ingredients, while Kenya sends cocoa, tea, coffee, and leather goods.

Indonesia's Embassy in Nairobi covers not just Kenya, but also Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Indonesian companies at IndoNEX are equally interested in exploring opportunities across the entire East African region, positioning Kenya as a potential hub for Indonesian products and services throughout the continent.

For Kenyan businesses, this creates the additional opportunity of becoming distribution partners for Indonesian companies across East Africa, leveraging Kenya's strategic position and established regional trade networks.