Kenya has reaffirmed its position as a strategic gateway to East Africa and the wider African market as the government steps up efforts to attract American investment and expand bilateral trade.
Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’oei on Wednesday hosted a high-level delegation from the US Chamber of Commerce and the US-Africa Business Center (USAfBC), led by USAfBC President Kendra L. Gaither, for talks on trade, investment and private-sector partnerships.
The visit marks the second major business delegation by the US Chamber of Commerce to Nairobi this year, highlighting growing interest in Kenya as an investment destination.
The meeting followed the official opening of the AmCham Business Summit by President William Ruto on Wednesday, with discussions building on the Kenya-US relationship and Ruto’s State Visit to the United States in May 2024.
Sing’oei said the government was committed to creating conditions that would enable businesses from both countries to expand their investments and strengthen commercial ties.
“Private-sector partnerships are essential to translating the strong Kenya-US bilateral relationship into sustainable economic outcomes,” Sing’oei said.
He reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to maintaining a competitive, transparent and investor-friendly business environment.
The PS welcomed the extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) through 2028, saying the move provides exporters and investors with greater certainty.
AGOA provides preferential market access for eligible African exports to the US and has been an important framework for Kenya’s export trade.
Sing’oei urged American businesses to take advantage of Kenya’s financial ecosystem, skilled workforce and regional connectivity to access markets through the East African Community, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The talks also focused on mobilising private capital in priority sectors, including the digital economy and financial technology.
Participants explored opportunities for cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity and fintech.
American Express highlighted its partnership with Equity Bank to expand digital payment solutions across banking networks in more than 10 African countries.
Healthcare and medical infrastructure also featured prominently in the discussions, with potential public-private partnerships involving Siemens Healthineers in health technology, oncology diagnostics and cardiovascular care.
The meeting further explored joint initiatives with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) aimed at expanding local manufacturing of health commodities and diagnostic equipment.
Critical minerals and sustainable supply chains were another area of discussion, with both sides agreeing that partnerships involving resources such as the Mrima Hill deposits should prioritise local value addition, processing and technology transfer.
The creative economy and youth empowerment were also highlighted, including a planned Creative and Digital Economy Roundtable to be convened by the US Chamber, AmCham Kenya and Invest Kenya on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
The government said it would provide institutional support for the upcoming AmCham Business Summit in Nairobi.
The State Department for Foreign Affairs, working with Invest Kenya, the US Chamber of Commerce and AmCham Kenya, will establish a structured follow-up mechanism to streamline investment projects, address regulatory concerns and facilitate targeted investor missions.
The mechanism is expected to help translate discussions between Kenyan and American businesses into concrete investment projects and stronger commercial partnerships.
