Kenya courts Chinese investors to boost manufacturing

Kenya is seeking to attract Chinese investors to establish manufacturing plants in the country as it accelerates industrialization and pursues the goals of its newly launched Vision 2060, which seeks to transform the economy into a high-income, industrialized nation.

Speaking during the opening ceremony of the three-day ninth Kenya International Industrial Expo and Kenya Investment & Trade Fair 2026 in the capital, Nairobi, on Thursday, Pius Rotich, director of manufacturing sector investments at the Kenya Investment Authority, said Kenya is positioning itself as a competitive investment destination for Chinese businesses seeking to expand their presence in Africa.

"China has shown a strong, enduring commitment to Kenya, strong growing investment in infrastructure cooperation, and today, Kenya is committed to deepening these relations," he said.

Rotich said establishing factories in Kenya would help strengthen local manufacturing capacity while promoting Kenya's exports to China. China is already the biggest trading partner and source of direct investment for Kenya. Manufacturing has been a focus of bilateral economic cooperation in recent years, with Chinese companies setting up manufacturing bases across Kenya covering sectors such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and machinery equipment.

Joseph Mutavi Kithu, national director of the Lower Eastern Region at the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said Kenya's economic transformation will depend on increased investment in productive sectors, stronger local manufacturing, greater adoption of technology and innovation, and expanded access to domestic and international markets.

"We remain committed to creating an enabling environment in which businesses can grow, compete and participate meaningfully in national and global value chains," he said.

Kithu said industrialization is not limited to large factories, but also encompasses thousands of micro, small and medium enterprises, suppliers, distributors, technology providers and service businesses that form the backbone of the economy.

Leverage strong ties

He said Kenya would leverage its strong ties with China to acquire machinery and equipment and establish manufacturing bases in the country, while calling on Chinese manufacturers to expand their operations in the East African nation.

"When you set your factory here, you will have the advantage of accessing a large market easily," he said, adding that local production could also help lower prices and benefit Kenyan consumers.

Organized by Afripeak Expo Kenya in partnership with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Invest Kenya, the expo brought together businesses from Kenya, China and other international markets, with exhibitors showcasing products and technologies across manufacturing, machinery, construction, energy, electronics, healthcare, hardware and industrial technology.

Gao Wei, managing director of Afripeak Expo Kenya, said this year's expo, for the first time, featured a business delegation from South China's Guangdong province, one of the country's leading manufacturing and export hubs.

"We believe the participation of Guangdong enterprises will bring not only competitive products, but also new technologies, business models and potential investment opportunities to Kenya," he said.

The expo also featured strong participation from companies specializing in laser engraving, laser cutting and related industrial processing equipment.

"These technologies have wide applications in manufacturing, metal processing, furniture, advertising, construction, packaging and many other industries," he said.

"We hope Kenyan SMEs, manufacturers and entrepreneurs can use this opportunity to learn about these technologies, identify suitable equipment and explore cooperation."

edithmutethya@chinadaily.com.cn