The Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry (MITI), through the Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest), and in collaboration with Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), have convened a high-level roundtable on creating an enabling business environment to support sustainable economic growth in Kenya.
The event brought together senior representatives from the National Treasury and the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, alongside private sector leaders, to deliberate on priority reforms needed to enhance Kenya’s business climate.
(TOP: Key stakeholders convene at the Roundtable on Enabling Business Environment at Nairobi Serena Hotel on May 8, 2025. The high-level forum brought together representatives from the National Treasury, Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, KenInvest, and KEPSA to formulate actionable reforms aimed at enhancing Kenya’s investment climate, streamlining regulatory processes, and accelerating economic transformation through strengthened public-private collaboration).
The chief guest, Dr. Chris Kiptoo, PS, the National Treasury, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fostering a predictable and investor-friendly regulatory framework, emphasizing the need for fiscal policy alignment with national industrialization goals.
Abubakar Hassan Abubakar, PS, State Department for Investment Promotion, reiterated the Ministry’s focus on eliminating bottlenecks to investment facilitation, particularly in regulatory processes, licensing, and the ease of doing business.
Speaking during the event, John Mwendwa, CEO, KenInvest, said the roundtable is a catalyst for progressive change, aligning with our core mission to streamline investment processes, foster dialogue, and create a predictable, enabling environment. It reflects our belief that strong public-private partnerships are key to accelerating Kenya’s economic transformation.
The private sector players, led by KEPSA CEO Carole Kariuki, underscored the importance of building institutional trust and promoting regulatory efficiency. She called for simplified licensing procedures, reduced tax compliance costs, and greater transparency in public–private engagement.
“Our collective goal is clear: to craft an enabling business environment that fuels innovation, attracts global investment, and positions Kenya as a beacon of competitiveness in Africa,” said Ms. Kariuki, emphasizing the urgency of bold, collaborative action to unlock Kenya’s economic potential.
Some strategic priorities outlined during the Roundtable to secure Kenya’s economic leadership included harnessing enabler sectors like Manufacturing, ICT&BPO, Agriculture and addressing systemic barriers. Notable proposals advanced during the forum include establishing an SEZ Ombudsman Office to address investor grievances, launching a global SEZ branding campaign, implementing customs valuation manuals to standardize and simplify trade processes, and fostering sector-specific agility in green manufacturing, ICT & BPO, energy, and social sectors.
These reforms are expected to significantly enhance Kenya’s attractiveness to both domestic and foreign investors while aligning with the country’s long-term development goals.
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