The American Chamber of Commerce Kenya (AmCham Kenya) will host the AmCham Business Summit 2026 on September 9–10 in Nairobi, bringing together business leaders, investors, government officials and multilateral stakeholders to advance trade, investment and commercial cooperation between the United States and East Africa.
The Summit, regarded as a leading gathering of the U.S.-East Africa business community, will provide a platform for American and East African executives, policymakers and investors to explore opportunities for deeper economic engagement and expanded growth across the region.
This year’s event comes as shifting global supply chains, rapid digital transformation and growing demand for stable, high-growth investment destinations reshape global commerce. East Africa is increasingly positioning itself as a gateway to the wider African market under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Kenya and East Africa are entering a decisive period in their commercial relationship with the United States,” said Paul Muthaura, CEO of AmCham Kenya.
“The opportunity calls on us to translate policy ambition into investment, stronger regional value chains and durable partnerships. AmCham’s role is to bring the right decision-makers together, address the barriers limiting investment and ensure that the Summit delivers commercial partnerships and measurable outcomes.”
The 2026 edition builds on the previous four Summits, which AmCham Kenya says generated more than US$2 billion in tracked investment commitments and attracted more than 5,000 delegates from over 30 countries.
This year’s programme will focus on seven high-growth sectors aligned with East Africa’s economic transformation priorities and U.S. strategic interests: critical minerals, the digital economy, health, manufacturing, energy and infrastructure, agriculture, and the creative economy.
The Summit will be co-convened with the U.S. Embassy in Kenya and co-hosted with Kenya’s Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce will serve as a strategic partner, alongside regional American Chambers of Commerce from Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Tanzania.
Organisers say the programme will offer participants insight into market trends, policy developments and investment priorities shaping East Africa’s economic outlook, while positioning the region as a competitive destination for U.S. and international capital.
The two-day event will feature high-level plenary sessions, sector-focused discussions, sector deal rooms and structured business-to-business and business-to-government matchmaking. These sessions are expected to connect companies and investors directly with potential commercial partners and government decision-makers.
“The Summit will connect policy, capital and enterprise, enabling decision-makers to address investment bottlenecks, advance commercially viable projects and build partnerships that create shared prosperity across the United States and East Africa,” said Angela Ng’ang’a, AmCham Kenya Board President.
With regional economies seeking greater integration into global value chains, the 2026 Summit is expected to place renewed emphasis on converting policy dialogue into bankable investments, commercial agreements and long-term partnerships between U.S. and East African businesses.
