Business

Over 350 investors from Africa and beyond participated in the 2025 Kenya Trade & Investment Roadshow, a week-long mission designed to provide first-hand exposure to the country’s investment landscape across multiple sectors.

Participants toured priority economic sectors, including Special Economic Zones (SEZs), industrial parks, manufacturing hubs, logistics corridors, agribusiness projects, and ICT and innovation ecosystems.

The site visits were complemented by structured networking sessions, enabling investors to engage directly with sector leaders, policymakers, and potential partners.

Real estate emerged as a key focus for many participants, with a site visit to Tatu City in Kiambu County drawing particular attention.

The 5,000-acre mixed-use SEZ, part of Kenya’s Vision 2030 blueprint, combines residential, commercial, educational, medical, and industrial facilities.

Investors were briefed on planned infrastructure, including schools, offices, shopping districts, medical clinics, recreation areas, and a manufacturing zone expected to support over 250,000 residents.

Jeannette Amom, a Cameroonian investor, noted that the mission provided critical sector-specific insights and networking opportunities.

“The site visit at Tatu City allowed us to assess investment potential across multiple segments of a modern urban development,” she said.

Amom highlighted the SEZ incentives, including reduced corporate taxes, zero-rated VAT, import duty exemptions, and stamp duty waivers, as significant factors in evaluating investment viability.

Other participants indicated plans to conduct more detailed due diligence, focusing on market potential, projected returns, competitive positioning, and regulatory conditions. The availability of credible local partners, institutional support, and government policy clarity were cited as important considerations for investment decisions.

AQ Hamza, Director for International Trade Relations at Equity Group, said the sector-focused tours were designed to present investors with tangible opportunities underpinned by a stable business environment.

“By highlighting Kenya’s regulatory framework, infrastructure, talent pool, and sector-specific advantages, the mission aimed to demonstrate the country’s potential as a gateway for scalable, high-growth investments in the region,” Hamza explained.

Investors also emphasized Kenya’s skilled workforce, cost-efficient operating environment, and access to regional supply chains as competitive advantages.

Long-term assurances regarding investment protection and scalability were highlighted as critical factors for committing capital.

The 2025 Kenya Trade & Investment Roadshow reinforced investor interest in Kenya’s economic sectors, particularly real estate, and provided a platform for assessing opportunities in a structured, data-driven context.

Another stop investors made was in Limuru Dairy.

Delegates watched from viewing corridors as fresh milk flowed through pipes into processing units for yoghurt and other dairy products, while on the factory floor rows of packaged yoghurt cups moved toward distribution.

But beyond the modern equipment and neat operations, the real story was the network of farmers behind it.

Hundreds of small-scale farmers, many organized in cooperatives, supply milk to the dairy every day.

Investors saw farmers at a milk collection point, arriving with chilled milk cans, receiving instant payment confirmations on mobile phones, and getting advice from extension officers on feed, animal health, and hygiene.

During a plant briefing, managers walked delegates through the entire chain: cooling systems, antibiotic checks, quality standards, and efforts to cut losses using solar-powered chillers.

If Limuru Dairy demonstrated coordination and processing efficiency, ForestFoods illustrated how working with nature can be a competitive advantage.

On the farm, kale, herbs, and legumes grew side by side; windbreaks reduced wind damage; helpful insects hovered over flowering strips; and compost piles steamed quietly as they matured.

The farm team spoke honestly about challenges, pests, labor needs, and learning as they go, but they also shared how this approach builds resilience: better yields over time, healthier soils, and lower reliance on expensive farm inputs.

A Trade and Investment Roadshow held in Nairobi has positioned Kenya as a key gateway to a whooping 350m consumers in East and Central Africa.  

Over 300 policy makers, investors and businesspersons from 35 nationalities in Africa and beyond on Friday converged in Nairobi for a three-day summit that sought to explore business opportunities in Kenya.  

Addressing the summit, Equity Group CEO Dr. James Mwangi urged global investors to treat East Africa as a mature investment destination, arguing that Kenya and its regional neighbors now offer the scale, stability, and demographic advantage for long-term growth.  

Mwangi said the region’s fundamentals were aligning in a way that made the current moment strategically important for capital flows.  

“Africa is on a journey of very rapid growth for a prolonged period,” he said.   

“More than 75% of our population is under 35. They are digital natives. They will be your customers and partners for the next two decades.”  

The Kenya Trade and Investment Roadshow 2025 was organised by Equity Bank under the theme, “Unlocking East Africa: Kenya’s role as the Engine of Regional Prosperity.”

The summitfollowed the successful Trade Mission in Rwanda, where Kenyan traders joined over 300 investors from more than 20 countries in a continental dialogue on growth and opportunity.  

Mwangi asked investors to resist conservative engagement and instead pursue decisive transactional partnerships.  

“Please don’t go home with your idea,” he said. “It may not be the winning idea, but it may trigger the winning idea. And it might also be the winning idea that others will build on.”  

He emphasized that the roadshow was designed not as a diplomatic exchange but as a deal-making platform.  

“Spend more time in the one-on-one meetings, not just having a cup of tea, but signing agreements,” he said. “And those agreements should not end with a handshake; I invite you to shake hearts as you agree.”  

Mwangi presented Kenya as not merely a domestic market, but as a springboard into a broader integrated region.  

“See Kenya as the hub of the East African Community, and see a population of 350 million people,” he said. “That is a sizable and growing market whose GDP per capita is rising.”  

Equity Group, he said, now possesses the regional footprint and financial partnerships to support corporate expansion into East and Central Africa.  

“We are systemic in six markets, and our influence will open doors for you,” he said. “The World Bank, through IFC, is our second-largest shareholder, and the Norwegian sovereign wealth fund, the largest on earth, is our largest shareholder.”  

He noted that Equity’s network of partnerships across banking and development finance institutions made it capable of mobilising capital where necessary.  

“I cannot personally write the cheque to fund every investment proposal, but I have built formidable partnerships, from KCB, to Ecobank, to Standard Chartered, to Absa.   
The opportunity is here with us. Together, we can make this work,” he said.  

Africa’s natural-resource advantage, Mwangi argued, will underpin the continent’s strategic role as the world transitions to renewable energy and sustainable production.  

“There will be no energy transition without strategic minerals,” he said. “Africa is over-endowed. God was very generous.”  

Also addressing the forum, Rt. Hon. Lord Swire, Deputy Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, said Kenya’s evolution into a regional economic hub reflected long-term institutional progress.  

“Kenya and its growth never cease to amaze me,” he said.   

“The opportunities are enormous, and I am astonished by what this country has become.”  

He said Commonwealth nations presented a ready trading bloc with structural efficiencies.  

“It is cheaper for one Commonwealth company to do business with another, an audited advantage of 19%,” he said.  

 “Don’t forget the Commonwealth. Look closely at the opportunities within it.”  

The trade roadshow continues as part of Equity’s wider international engagement programme linking Kenyan and regional companies to global capital sources.  

On his part, Aliou Maiga, the Regional Industry Director for the Financial Institutions Group in Africa at the International Finance Corporation, said Africa must nurture a generation of visionaries who not only think boldly but also execute boldly.   

He noted that this mindset is critical, especially at this point in the continent’s development, where unlocking economic opportunities for a rapidly growing population will shape the continent’s long-term trajectory.  

“Africa needs people who think big and make things happen,” Maiga said.   

“This is relevant today given where the continent is, and the urgent need to expand economic opportunities for our population. If we are able to create the right conditions and enable people to realize their potential, the future of this continent will be secured.”  

He emphasized that the World Bank Group’s role is anchored in supporting countries to build resilient and competitive economies by offering resources and expertise that catalyze sustainable growth.   

“As the World Bank, our mandate is to help develop economies by providing financial resources, technical expertise, and policy guidance to support sustainable development,” he said.   

“We work with governments, private sector partners, and communities to fund infrastructure, education, health systems, and innovation initiatives that can transform people’s lives.”  

Maiga also highlighted East Africa as a continental pacesetter in innovation, describing the region as a fertile ground for digital transformation and entrepreneurial leadership.   

“East Africa is at the forefront of innovation, leading the way in technology, entrepreneurship, and creative solutions across Africa,” he said.   

“This region has become a hub for startups, digital platforms, and tech-driven enterprises, fostering a culture of problem-solving and forward-thinking. That innovative spirit is driving economic growth, boosting job creation, and positioning East Africa as a key player in shaping Africa’s role in the global knowledge and technology economy.”  

Kenyan investors were impressed by the wealth of opportunities in Rwanda during a three-day trade mission organized by Equity Group. The 15 Kenyan investors were among 300 participants from 30 nations who visited key economic, industrial, and innovation hubs in Kigali and other parts of the country.

65 international delegates from India, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, South Africa, and the United States also joined the Kenyans in the trade mission aimed at unlocking business opportunities, strengthening economic ties, and creating networking opportunities across the region.

Delegates who toured Rwanda represented 17 sectors, including banking and financial services, retail and e-commerce, agriculture and agribusiness, manufacturing, construction, energy, healthcare, ICT, and tourism. This broad representation reflects the mission’s appeal to businesses seeking diversification and expansion in Rwanda’s rapidly transforming economy.

After a day of high-level discussions, panel dialogues, and B2B engagements, delegates embarked on site visits to gain a firsthand understanding of Rwanda’s economic transformation and sectoral opportunities. These visits offered practical insights into the sectors driving the country’s transformation and showcased Rwanda’s efforts to position itself as a hub for regional and international trade.

The first set of visits took delegates to UFACO Ltd and DIKAM Ltd, leading textile manufacturers contributing to Rwanda’s efforts to build a competitive garment and apparel industry. Delegates were impressed by the strides Rwanda has made in developing its textile sector, which aligns with the country’s broader industrialization agenda.

At PHARMALAB Ltd, delegates were introduced to Rwanda’s expanding pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities. PHARMALAB’s production of essential medicines and medical consumables reflects the country’s commitment to strengthening healthcare resilience through local manufacturing and reduced import dependence.

The mission also visited the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA), where delegates witnessed Rwanda’s forward-looking approach to agricultural education. RICA combines research, hands-on learning, and conservation-focused farming methods to equip graduates with practical skills essential for transforming the agricultural sector. The visit showcased how Rwanda is preparing a new generation of agribusiness leaders grounded in sustainability and innovation.

In the afternoon, delegates visited Inyange Industries, Rwanda’s leading agro-processing company, known for its dairy, juice, and bottled water products. Delegates saw firsthand how Inyange integrates advanced processing technology, stringent quality control, and a farmer-inclusive sourcing model to deliver high-quality products to both local and regional markets. The company represents a critical success story in Rwanda’s value-addition agenda.

The final stop of the day was DP World Kigali, the country’s state-of-the-art logistics and inland port facility. Delegates observed the efficiency of Rwanda’s cargo handling, customs clearance, and warehousing systems, which significantly reduce transit times and logistical bottlenecks. As a regional gateway for trade, DP World Kigali demonstrated how Rwanda is positioning itself as a land-linked hub that supports seamless regional and international market access.

Delegates left the site visits with glowing impressions of Rwanda’s economic landscape and investment potential. Amom Jeanette, a delegate from Cameroon, noted, “This mission has been eye-opening. From the business forums to the site visits, I’ve seen how intentionally Rwanda is building its economy. The professionalism, the infrastructure, and the clarity of the country’s vision really stood out. It’s a place where investors are not only welcomed but supported with an ecosystem designed for growth.”

Klau Buttner, a delegate from the United Kingdom, shared, “I have been impressed by the coherence of Rwanda’s investment landscape, from policy consistency to the efficiency at facilities like DP World Kigali and the innovation demonstrated across sectors. The mission offered a comprehensive view of the country’s potential, and it’s clear why Rwanda is becoming a destination for global investors.”

The site visits provided clarity on Rwanda’s strategic investments in manufacturing, agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, logistics, and human capital development. They also amplified the country’s reputation as a stable, predictable, and investor-friendly economy committed to long-term value creation.

With the Rwanda chapter now concluded, delegates will travel to Kenya to continue the trade mission through additional business forums, sector engagements, and on-the-ground market exploration. The momentum built in Kigali now transitions to Nairobi as Equity Group continues to facilitate cross-border trade, enterprise growth, and regional economic integration.