Kenya is targeting to position itself as Africa’s trade gateway during the 3rd Kenya International Investment Conference (#KIICO2023) slated for next month.
The event which is being organized by the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry (MITI) under KenInvest is expected to draw at least 2,000 delegates, 54 trade ministers, and 100 top businesses in Africa as the continent seeks to boost intra-African trade from the current 15pc.
“The conference includes a working retreat for 54 Africa Trade Ministers to develop the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) implementation matrix and Road map that will play a key role in opening the 1.3-billion-person market in Africa for Kenya’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and positioning Kenya as the gateway to Africa,” said the organizers.
The conference whose theme is “Unlocking Africa’s Gateway” will also feature the Africa Private Sector Alliance (APSA) Forum that brings together top 100 businesses in Africa to deliberate on private sector growth and development in the continent.
Kenya delegation will be represented by President William Ruto; Deputy President Rigathi Gachagwa; Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria; Trade Principal Secretary Alfred K’Ombudo; Investment Promotion Principal Secretary Abubakar Hassan; and KenInvest Chair Sally Mahihu.
Other dignitaries expected during the conference include guest speaker, President Azali Assoumani of the Union of Comoros who also serves as the African Union Heads of States Summit chairman and AfCFTA Secretary General Wamkele Mene.
Kenya expects to presents to investors its bankable investment projects, access networking opportunities with local and international investors for business-2-business and business-2-government through investor ready projects.
Additionally, Kenya will also benefit from the networking and sharing experiences on best practices of investment promotion and facilitation, mainstreaming of Micro and Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) youth and women innovators get a platform to showcase their innovations and discuss regional integration for the private sector and Regional Economic Communities (RECs).
Among areas of investment opportunities Kenya targets to pitch to investors include Special Economic Zones, Public Private Partnerships, Foreign Direct Investments in Energy, Affordable Housing, Agriculture, Health, Water, Roads, Transport including the LAPSSET Corridor, Financial Services including the Nairobi International Financial Centre and ICT related investments including the Konza City.
