President William Ruto
President William Ruto has invited American and other foreign investors to pitch tent in Kenya, saying the country is open and ready for business.
Speaking at the AmCham Business Summit in Nairobi, Ruto said Kenya was seeking business partnerships based on mutual benefit, with investors bringing capital, technology and skills while tapping into the country’s human capital, natural resources and growing market.
“We want an annexus between our assets and minerals and human capital, our talent with friends who come with technology and skills, that is the relationship we are looking for,” he said.
The two-day summit, held at the Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club in Nairobi, brings together regional executives, investors and policymakers for discussions aimed at advancing trade, investment and economic cooperation between the United States and East Africa.
Ruto said Kenya was ready to engage investors through open and transparent partnerships in which neither side felt exploited.
He highlighted agriculture, health and manufacturing as some of the sectors offering opportunities for American investment.
In agriculture, he said Kenya was seeking partnerships that would improve access to global markets for Kenyan produce, while the health sector offered opportunities in pharmaceuticals, diagnostic technology and infrastructure.
“Across manufacturing, we seek enterprises that deepen global transfer chains, transfer technology and expand exports. These opportunities are already inviting investments. American companies have committed more than $600m to new projects since our last meeting,” he said.
Ruto also revisited Kenya’s ambition to host the Grammy Awards, saying the plan went beyond securing the one-day ceremony to attracting studios, record labels and investors in the creative industry.
He invited American industry leaders to partner with Kenya in making the country a hub for creative production on the continent.
“Aid builds capacities but trade builds nations. Our ambition is partnership measured in investment, in exports and in jobs.”
The President welcomed the extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) to 2028, saying the trade arrangement had boosted Kenya’s apparel exports and supported job creation.
“We ask you to bring your capital, your technology and your standards. Let us combine them with our energy, our talent and our increasing market both in Kenya and in Africa.”
Ruto said the government was doing its part by creating an enabling business environment, while the private sector was expected to turn those foundations into factories, technologies, exports and jobs.
“Do not look at Kenya simply as a market. Look at Kenya as your platform to a continent of 1.4 billion people. Produce here. Innovate here. Build your regional headquarters here, and serve Africa from here.”
The President urged companies already operating in Kenya to expand their investments and asked businesses searching for new markets to consider the country as an investment destination.
“Kenya is open for business. Kenya is ready for business, and Kenya means business,” he said.
