Invest Kenya, the country’s premier investment promotion agency, has intensified its strategic outreach to international partners and investors, hosting a series of high-level meetings this week to drive foreign direct investment into priority sectors and position Kenya as a leading investment gateway in Africa.
In a notable diplomatic engagement, John Mwendwa, CEO of Invest Kenya, met with H.E. Dr. Vincenzo Del Monaco, the Ambassador of Italy to Kenya. The discussions centered on deepening collaboration in strategic areas, including leather, digital and technology, renewable energy, and agriculture. Key topics included pipeline projects, targeted investment promotion to attract Italian capital, technology transfer, business linkages, and efforts to revitalize Kenya’s leather industry as a regional manufacturing hub.
Italy continues to be a vital economic partner for Kenya, with strengthening trade relations and investments that have delivered tangible impact—including value-chain initiatives supporting more than 30,000 Kenyan farmers and improved access to European markets. A major focus of the meeting was the upcoming Kenya International Investment Conference (KIICO) 2026, where Italian investors are expected to play a prominent role, using the event as a platform to explore high-impact opportunities in the country. Both sides expressed optimism that these engagements will translate into concrete, bankable investments fostering job creation, skills transfer, and sustainable economic growth.
Invest Kenya also welcomed a Chinese business delegation, accompanied by Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) President Dr. Eric Rutto. The group comprised investors interested in opportunities across renewable energy, mining, and deep-sea fishing. During the session, CEO John Mwendwa presented an overview of Kenya’s investment landscape—from entry procedures and facilitation support to key growth sectors—highlighting the comprehensive assistance available to ensure smooth project execution.
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This visit reinforces the momentum from the successful Kenya Investment Forum held in Beijing in 2025, underscoring the sustained and expanding investment cooperation between Kenya and China.
Invest Kenya engaged with Two Rivers International Finance & Innovation Centre (TRIFIC), led by CEO Ms. Brenda Mbathi. The discussions explored collaboration prospects ahead of KIICO 2026, including the development of a robust deal pipeline and unified investment promotion strategies. TRIFIC was positioned as an attractive base for global, regional, and local service-oriented enterprises aiming to access international markets competitively.
Additionally, Invest Kenya hosted ADEC Innovations, represented by Group CEO James Donovan, for talks focused on scaling Kenya’s Global Business Services (GBS) and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector. ADEC Innovations, which has operated in Kenya for over a decade, currently employs more than 1,500 people and plans to add another 2,000 jobs through expansion. The company specializes in high-value services, including expert decision-making in HR, finance, logistics, the blue economy, and supply chain management.
The engagement emphasized sharing global best practices, local sector growth, and identifying government support measures to enhance Kenya’s competitiveness as a regional GBS/BPO hub.
These back-to-back engagements reflect Invest Kenya’s proactive approach to building partnerships and curating investment opportunities as the country prepares for KIICO 2026—scheduled to showcase transformative deals and position Kenya firmly on the global investment map.
