KEPSA and KenInvest Convene Stakeholders to Advance Kenya’s Business Climate

The Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry (MITI), through the Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest), in collaboration with the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), today convened a high-level roundtable to deliberate on creating a more enabling business environment to support sustainable economic growth in Kenya.

The strategic dialogue brought together senior representatives from the National Treasury, MITI, and the private sector to discuss key reforms aimed at enhancing Kenya’s competitiveness and investment attractiveness.

Presiding over the forum, Dr. Chris Kiptoo, Principal Secretary at the National Treasury, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fostering a predictable, investor-friendly regulatory framework. He emphasized the importance of aligning fiscal policy with the country’s industrialization goals to catalyze private sector-led growth.

Mr. Abubakar Hassan Abubakar, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Investment Promotion, reiterated the Ministry’s focus on eliminating regulatory bottlenecks, streamlining licensing processes, and improving the overall ease of doing business in Kenya.

Mr. John Mwendwa, OGW, Chief Executive Officer of KenInvest, described the roundtable as a critical catalyst for change. “This engagement reflects our commitment to building a predictable and enabling investment environment. Strong public-private partnerships are essential to accelerating Kenya’s economic transformation,” he noted.

On behalf of the private sector, KEPSA CEO Ms. Carole Kariuki emphasized the importance of institutional trust and regulatory efficiency. She advocated for simplified licensing, reduced tax compliance costs, and enhanced transparency in government–business interactions.

“Our collective goal is clear: to build an environment that fuels innovation, attracts global investment, and positions Kenya as a beacon of competitiveness in Africa,” said Ms. Kariuki. “Now is the time for bold, collaborative action to unlock Kenya’s full economic potential.”

Key priorities identified during the roundtable include leveraging Kenya’s enabler sectors—Manufacturing, ICT & BPO, and Agriculture—and addressing systemic constraints. Noteworthy proposals include:

• Establishment of a Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Ombudsman Office to resolve investor grievances;
• A global SEZ branding campaign to elevate Kenya’s visibility;
• Customs valuation manuals to standardize trade processes;
• Promoting sector-specific agility in green manufacturing, ICT/BPO, energy, and the social economy.

The proposed reforms are aligned with Kenya’s long-term development agenda and are expected to significantly boost the country’s appeal to both domestic and international investors.