Kenya rallies diplomats as KIICO 2026 targets USD 2 billion in deals

February 19, 2026 in Trade & Industry by Editor

Kenya courts global diplomats ahead of KIICO 2026, targeting over $2 billion in investment deals as Nairobi positions itself as a regional gateway for capital.

 

Kenya Investment Authority has stepped up diplomatic engagement ahead of the Kenya International Investment Conference 2026, hosting members of the Diplomatic Corps for a high-level ambassadorial breakfast designed to sharpen investor alignment before the March summit.

Organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, the briefing on February 18, brought together ambassadors and senior representatives from key partner markets including the United States, United Kingdom, European Union and China.

The session offered diplomats an advance look at Kenya’s investment landscape, priority sectors and pipeline of bankable projects. Officials also highlighted policy reforms aimed at easing investor entry, notably the government’s Digital One Stop Centre, which is intended to streamline licensing and regulatory processes.

Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, Lee Kinyanjui, said the engagement was about strengthening strategic cooperation and positioning Kenya as a gateway for capital seeking scale across Africa.

“Kenya offers a strong entry point for business, returns and stability for investors seeking to expand on the continent,” he said, adding that the government is focused on building mutually beneficial partnerships rather than one-sided capital flows.

Principal Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Abraham Sing’Oei, expressed confidence that the conference could unlock more than $2 billion in investment commitments, underscoring Kenya’s standing as one of Africa’s most diversified economies.

Invest Kenya Chief Executive Officer John Mwendwa noted that preparations are progressing ahead of schedule, with more than 500 delegates already confirmed and total attendance projected to approach 1,000 participants from over 30 countries.

The 2026 conference, scheduled for 25–27 March in Nairobi, will also host the second COMESA Investment Forum and the African Green Industrialisation Initiative on its sidelines, broadening its regional and sustainability focus.

Kenya says that through KIICO 2026, it aims to convert investor dialogue into concrete partnerships and secure long-term investments that can drive sustainable economic growth and expand economic opportunities for Kenyans.