President Uhuru Kenyatta to open investment forum

Kenya is set to host its first two-day investment conference in Nairobi this week as the State intensifies its efforts to woo foreign investors.

About 2,000 potential investors from over 100 countries are expected to attend the event at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre on Wednesday and Thursday.

The conference will be a platform from which to showcase Kenya's investment opportunities and bring international, regional and national investors together to discuss and exchange ideas that will lead to increased private investments in the country.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie said the forum seeks to showcase existing investment and business opportunities with a focus on Vision 2030 flagship projects.

"It will provide a forum where, with the 47 counties, regional development authorities, ministry departments and other State agencies can showcase investment and business opportunities to investors from around the world," Ms Kandie said.

The forum will also discuss progress towards creating a conducive investment, business and regulatory environment in Kenya, and provide investors a platform for networking, considering and negotiating joint ventures.

President Uhuru Kenyatta will open the event that has been organised by the Kenya Investment Authority in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry under the theme 'Invest in Kenya, the Hub of East and Central Africa.'

Organisers say they forum will provide information for 2,000 potential investors, increased business links, increased uptake of public–private partnership projects and increased awareness of Kenya as a preferred investment destination in Africa.

 new frontiers

KenInvest chairperson Anne Muchoki, Vimal Shah (Kepsa chairman) and Kiprono Kittony (KNCC chairman) will address investors while Kandie, Industrialisation and Enterprise Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohamed, Attorney General Githu Muigai, Manu Chandaria (CEO Comcraft International) and J Ireland, chief executive officer of General Electric Africa, are listed as panellists.

Council of Governors chairman Isaac Ruto will present a paper on counties as new investment frontiers. He will be assisted by Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, Transition Authority chairman Kinuthia Wamwangi, Equity Bank Chief Operations Officer Julius Kipngetich and Brand Kenya CEO Mary Kimonye.