President William Ruto Addressing global investors during the Fourth Kenya International Investment Conference 2026 in Nairobi on March 25, 2026. Photo by PCS. 
By Andrew Mbuva
President William Ruto has positioned Kenya as a stable and competitive investment destination, unveiling over KSh375 billion in new deals during the Fourth Kenya International Investment Conference 2026 in Nairobi.
Addressing global investors, Ruto said the agreements—spanning agriculture, manufacturing, ICT, healthcare, energy, and real estate—are expected to generate at least 63,000 jobs, with most projects already at advanced implementation stages.
The President underscored Kenya’s economic resilience amid global uncertainty, citing improved macroeconomic indicators and growing investor confidence. Foreign direct investment inflows rose by more than 15 per cent in 2025, surpassing $2 billion for the first time, while inflation dropped to an average of 4.4 per cent from 9.6 per cent three years ago.
He further noted that Kenya’s foreign exchange reserves had reached a historic $14.6 billion—equivalent to nearly seven months of import cover—while the shilling remained stable at around KSh129 against the US dollar over the past two years.
Ruto also highlighted the strong performance of the Nairobi Securities Exchange, which ranked among Africa’s top-performing markets in 2025, delivering a 52 per cent return in dollar terms. The government is now targeting at least 40 new listings by 2029, building on recent milestones including the Kenya Pipeline Company’s $823 million initial public offering.
To sustain momentum, the President outlined ongoing reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business. These include tax incentives such as zero-rated VAT on exported services, removal of the 30 per cent domestic equity requirement for ICT firms, and the introduction of mechanisms allowing companies to offset verified tax claims against future liabilities.
Additionally, the government plans to fully digitise its One-Stop Investment Centre by the end of 2026, enabling investors to secure permits and licences online.
Ruto described Kenya as a strategic gateway to regional and continental markets, citing access to the East African Community, COMESA, and the African Continental Free Trade Area, which together represent a combined market of over 1.4 billion people. He also revealed the conclusion of a bilateral trade agreement with China, opening access to a $19 trillion market.
The President pointed to recent high-profile investments, including expansions by global firms in manufacturing, healthcare, and energy, as evidence of sustained investor confidence.
Looking ahead, Ruto outlined an ambitious national transformation plan anchored on infrastructure development, water security, and energy expansion. The government aims to build at least 50 mega dams, triple electricity generation to 10,000 megawatts, and expand transport networks.
The programme is projected to require KSh5 trillion, with the National Infrastructure Fund expected to mobilise long-term capital and facilitate private sector participation.
Ruto concluded by inviting investors to partner in Kenya’s growth, stating that the country remains “open for business” and committed to providing a predictable and investor-friendly environment.
