Kenyans urged to drive trade and investment

President William Ruto, Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi, Equity Group Managing Director and CEO, Dr. James Mwangi and other leaders during the conference which was opened by the President on March 28, 2026

Kenyans have been urged to leverage trade and investment opportunities to boost the country’s economy.

The call came during the opening of the 19th Ambassadors and High Commissioners Conference in Nairobi, where speakers emphasized the importance of domestic ownership of investments.

Equity Group Managing Director and CEO, Dr. James Mwangi, highlighted that while foreign investors continue to see Kenya as an attractive destination, long-term returns often flow abroad.

He said this can put pressure on foreign exchange and stressed the need for Kenyans to increase their share of investment locally.

"I'm glad that foreign investors continue to see Kenya as a strong and attractive destination. Their confidence in our economy is important." he said.

He also stressed that infrastructure alone cannot drive economic growth and encouraged Kenyans to save, noting that strong domestic savings are critical for development.

Dr. Mwangi pointed to partnerships with Trade Connect and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat as mechanisms to facilitate trade and financing, while also noting the role of ambassadors in linking investors to opportunities.

President William Ruto, who officially opened the conference, urged Kenya’s diplomats to position the country as a credible investment destination and to unlock new markets for local enterprises.

"Our foreign policy must work for Kenya in tangible ways, opening markets for our enterprises, attracting quality investment, and enhancing our influence globally," he said.

The conference also highlighted the recent launch of two digital trade platforms, BiasharaLink and Deal House, unveiled in Addis Ababa during the 39th African Union Summit.

Developed by Real Sources Africa, these platforms aim to transform African embassies into active hubs for cross-border commerce under AfCFTA, addressing the low conversion of trade inquiries into actual deals.

BiasharaLink allows missions, exporters, investors, and market actors to capture and track trade opportunities, while Deal House facilitates matching with partners, financing, and contract signing.

The initiatives target small and medium-sized enterprises, including women-led businesses, to provide structured access to financing and cross-border trade opportunities.