East Africa's Ultimate Destination

Investing in Kenya

1. Political stability

Kenya has maintained remarkable stability since independence despite the changes in its political system and crisis in neighboring countries. In December 2002, Kenyans held democratic and open elections which were judged free and fair by international observers. The country's stable political background has enabled a business-friendly environment. Added to that should be the advantageous strategic location, access to target markets, attractive incentives, as well as a liberalized economy with a well established private sector. The relative calm was however punctuated by a short span of the violence occasioned by the disputed December 2007 polls that led to over 1,000 deaths and displacement of over 500,000 people. This was settled through efforts of Kofi Annan and a Coalition government was formed.

2. Dynamic private sector

The private sector has played an important role in the economic development of the country and has participated extensively in all economic sectors.

3. Harmonious industrial relations

Kenya has enjoyed decades of stable and harmonious industrial relations in all sectors of the economy, with trade unions existing in every sector.

4. Preferential market access

Kenya has the benefit of being geographically positioned centrally in Africa, hence being the hub of the rest of Africa and to rest of the world. Kenya is an active member of most regional and international trade agreements.

Kenya's major trading partners are the COMESA and the EAC members, the European Union, Japan, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. The East African market has a strength of more than 93 million consumers. Investing in Kenya provides investors with access to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), which has a population of over 400 million consumers, and the EAC market.

5. Qualified work force

Kenya has highly developed human resources, which are considered the best asset in the region. The Kenyan workforce is regarded as able and enterprising with the professionals being trained both within the country and at institutions in Europe, North America, Australia and other parts of the world. Kenya has the highest number of university and college-educated, English-speaking professionals in Africa.