The Kenya International Investment Conference (KIICO 2026) opened today with the announcement of investment deals worth over US$ 2.9billion which are expected to create more than 63,000 direct jobs in the country.
The investments, announced by H.E. the President of the Republic of Kenya, Dr. William Ruto during the official opening ceremony, cut across key sectors such as agriculture, mining, manufacturing, healthcare, ICT, real estate, and energy, signaling strong confidence in the economy from global and local investors.
From the 20 deals showcased, agriculture, manufacturing, mining and real estate account for a substantial share, with a combined value of over US$2 billion.
In agriculture and agro-processing, investments of approximately US$890 million will expand value-addition in the sector and support smallholder farmers in rice, sugar and horticultural production while creating over 27,000 new jobs opportunities. The deals announced in this sector were Tana Bliss Kenya’s US$300 million integrated rice and irrigation project, Tana River Sugar Company’s US$285 million modern sugar milling facility, and Blue Skies’ investment in fresh-cut mango processing which links Kenyan smallholder farmers to premium UK and EU markets under the Kenya-UK Trade Agreement.
Manufacturing attracted new capital to the tune of US$600 million through 8 deals in fertilizer production, textiles, solar panel manufacturing, plastics recycling and glass bottle manufacturing, which have strong export linkages under AfCFTA and AGOA frameworks. In the mining sector, Buru REE project by Australia-based NGX Limited will inject US$350 million in Kericho, unlocking new mineral value chains and boosting export earnings.
Meanwhile, US$630 million has been committed to real estate developments led by Mombasa Creekside Gardens at US$380 million investment which anchors Mombasa’s urban infrastructure development and Nairobi Belle Vue Arch with US$250 million capital injection. These two projects represent significant Gulf-linked investment into Kenya’s two biggest cities where infrastructure and housing demand is high.
With the country’s push toward universal health coverage, healthcare has attracted key private sector investments including the Bounty Management Global in Nairobi (US$60 million), RVL Healthcare Ltd (US$50million, Nairobi), and Balmer Healthcare (US$200 million, Uasin Gishu). These projects are expected to expand access to specialized care, strengthen regional healthcare infrastructure, and reduce the need for Kenyans to seek treatment abroad.
In his keynote address, the H.E. the President, Dr. William Ruto, underscored the government’s support to ensure investor interest is converted into bankable, executable projects.
“We have implemented bold, investor-friendly reforms to enhance competitiveness and the ease of doing business. These include zero-rating VAT on exported services, tax reforms that allow corporates to offset verified tax claims against future liabilities, and the removal of the 30 percent domestic equity requirement for ICT companies, unlocking significant new investment into Kenya’s rapidly expanding digital economy. Through our One-Stop Investment Centre, investors now access seamless, world-class facilitation services. By end of 2026, this platform will be fully digitized, enabling permits and licenses to be secured entirely online, reducing costs and improving efficiency for our investors. Our Export Processing Zones and Special Economic Zones provide globally competitive incentives, including tax breaks and streamlined regulatory processes, ensuring that Kenya remains a cost-competitive and globally connected hub for manufacturing and export-led growth”.
The KIICO 2026 outcomes also highlight Kenya’s success in attracting a diverse pool of local and international investors from key FDI markets including the United States, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, China, India, and South Korea, reinforcing its position as a key investment gateway into East and Central Africa.
The Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, Lee Kinyanjui said the quality and readiness of the deals reflect a maturing investment environment.
“In literally every sector of the economy, opportunities abound, waiting to be explored. From manufacturing, to agribusiness and digital economy, the country is a cocktail of opportunities waiting to be explored…we have embraced adaptation and innovation as our clarion mantra. Together, we can design solutions that meet your investment goals while addressing some of our needs such as employment creation, energy and food security”.
As the conference continues, up to Friday, March 27th, attention will turn to implementation timelines, deal closures, and discussions on tackling key sectoral challenges to ensure the full economic impact is realized and that Kenya remains competitiveness on the global stage.
KIICO 2026 will also feature the COMESA Investment Forum (CIF) and the Africa Green Industrialization Initiative (AGII), further deepening the conference’s regional and sustainability agenda. The COMESA Investment Forum convenes investors and policymakers from Eastern and Southern Africa to deliberate on unlocking cross-border opportunities and strengthen regional value chains. AGII will focus on renewable energy, e-mobility, circular economy and waste management positioning Kenya at the forefront of Africa’s transition to low-carbon growth.
