Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest) CEO John Mwendwa with Trade Principal Secretary Regina Ombam on January 31, 2026/COURTESY Kenya has intensified preparations for the Kenya International Investment Conference (KIICO) 2026, slated for March 25-27 in Nairobi, as the government positions the country as a leading destination for global and regional investment.
Trade Principal Secretary Regina Ombam today chaired a high-level inter-ministerial planning meeting at the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, bringing together key government agencies and partners involved in the organisation of the flagship conference.
The meeting reviewed progress made by various KIICO sub-committees and focused on strengthening coordination, institutional readiness and inter-agency alignment to ensure the event is delivered seamlessly.
“This conference is a strategic platform for Kenya to tell its investment story to the world,” Ombam said.
She said their objective is to ensure that all institutions are fully prepared, coordinated and aligned so that KIICO 2026 delivers tangible outcomes for the country and for investors.
She noted that the government was keen on presenting a unified approach that reflects policy clarity, efficiency and investor confidence.
The session was convened by Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest) CEO John Mwendwa, who said preparations were on track and that collaboration across ministries and agencies would be key to the success of the conference.
“KIICO 2026 is not just an event; it is an investment mobilisation platform,” Mwendwa said.
KIICO 2026 is set to unlock over USD 2 billion (Sh258billion) in investment deals in the agriculture, manufacturing, renewable energy and ICT sectors by March 2026.
These target areas align with national development goals.
He said the focus is on ensuring that every aspect, from logistics and programming to investor engagement, is handled professionally and delivers value.
He added that KenInvest was working closely with the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry (MITI) and other stakeholders to align the conference agenda with Kenya’s priority investment sectors.
“We are deliberately structuring KIICO to translate interest into actual investments that support economic growth and job creation,” Mwendwa said during a recent event.
Representatives from MITI and strategic partners supporting the conference also attended the meeting, underscoring the whole-of-government approach being adopted in the planning process.
Sub-committees presented updates on areas including programme development, investor outreach, partnerships, logistics and communications.
Beyond showcasing Kenya’s investment opportunities, KIICO 2026 will also host the second COMESA Business Forum, an important regional platform aimed at unlocking cross-border trade and investment opportunities.
The inclusion of the COMESA Business Forum is set to elevates KIICO’s regional significance.
It reinforces Kenya’s role as a gateway to the COMESA region and a hub for regional value chains.
The conference is expected to attract global investors, policymakers, development finance institutions and business leaders, providing a platform to promote Kenya’s competitiveness, deepen regional integration and advance sustainable investment across Africa.
The initiative comes as Kenya seeks to position itself as the premier investment destination in Africa while addressing persistent challenges in its business environment
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