The forum brought together government representatives, business associations, private enterprises, overseas chamber representatives and professional service institutions, with more than 180 participants engaging in policy exchange, business experience sharing, B2B matchmaking and cooperation signing.
Dr. Rutto noted that Hunan is a strong industrial and commercial partner for Kenya, with the province GDP reaching approximately RMB 5.53 trillion in 2025. He emphasized that Hunan strengths in manufacturing, engineering, e-commerce, medical technology, renewable energy and industrial supply chains align closely with Kenya development priorities.

He positioned Kenya as a strategic gateway for Hunan enterprises entering East Africa and the wider African market. Kenya economy grew by 4.6% in 2025, with GDP estimated at approximately RMB 910 billion, supported by a strong private sector that drives investment, exports, employment and innovation.
Dr. Rutto further highlighted Kenya growing appeal as an investment destination, noting that foreign direct investment into Kenya surpassed USD 2 billion in 2025, reflecting rising investor confidence in the country reform agenda, regional market access and strategic sectors.

On trade, Dr. Rutto emphasized that Kenya–China cooperation must now move toward stronger export growth, value addition and industrial partnerships. With China granting 98.2% of Kenyan exports duty-free access, Kenya has a major opportunity to expand exports of tea, coffee, avocados, macadamia, hides and skins, textiles and processed foods. Kenya tea and coffee exports to China grew by 8.8% year-on-year in 2025, reaching USD 24.46 million.

The engagement also reflected KNCCI long-standing cooperation with Hunan under the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo framework, the China-Africa Economic and Trade Promotion Council, the CCPIT Hunan Sub-Council, and other Hunan partners. Changsha also hosts KNCCI first overseas office, established in December 2023, which has supported more than 900 Kenyan business leaders in exploring trade, manufacturing, technology transfer and investment opportunities in Hunan.

The B2B session focused on practical opportunities in construction equipment, biomedical manufacturing, electric mobility, e-commerce, renewable energy, agriculture value addition, mining machinery, ICT and technical training.

Following the forum, Dr. Rutto led KNCCI engagements during a company visit and meeting at Hunan Shenyi Precision Parts Incorporated Company. The visit concluded with the signing of a Consulting Service Contract between Shenyi and the Hunan Representative Office of KNCCI, aimed at supporting Shenyi Kenya market entry through market information, enterprise matching, business linkages, Kenya visit arrangements and local resource connections.

Dr. Rutto also engaged representatives of Hunan International Trade Group on potential investment interests in Kenya, including land and real estate-related opportunities, subject to further policy guidance, due diligence and engagement with relevant Kenyan authorities.

The post KNCCI PRESIDENT DR. ERICK RUTTO STRENGTHENS KENYA–HUNAN BUSINESS LINKAGES AT HUNAN AFRICA INVESTMENT FORUM IN CHANGSHA appeared first on KNCCI.

The Chamber Business Academy (CBA), under the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KNCCI), has officially signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the China-Africa Economic and Trade Promotion Council (CAPETPC) of Hunan Province, Changsha. This historic partnership establishes a framework for technical cooperation, capacity building, and technology transfer designed to accelerate the growth of a professional and market-oriented mushroom value chain across Kenya and the wider region.

The framework outlines clear roles for both entities over its three-year duration. The Chamber Business Academy (CBA) under KNCCI will spearhead comprehensive capacity-building initiatives, designing practical training programs in production, enterprise management, standards compliance, and market linkages. Concurrently, CAPETPC will facilitate access to Chinese agricultural experts, advanced production equipment, and research solutions, alongside fostering business matching between local stakeholders and Chinese investment partners. The collaboration spans technical training, introduction of sophisticated farming equipment, value addition, and investment matchmaking.

Speaking at the ceremony, KNCCI President Dr. Erick Rutto outlined the immense socioeconomic opportunities within the mushroom sector, emphasizing its capacity to solve critical challenges in food security, SME development, and agribusiness job creation.

Addressing the latent potential of the market, Dr. Rutto stated:

“Kenya’s mushroom sector has strong potential to support agribusiness development, job creation, food security, and SME growth; however, unlocking this requires strong technical training and professional market linkages.”

He further elaborated on what is needed to robustly support the regional value chain, adding:

“To build a truly sustainable and practical value chain, we must cooperate internationally to introduce suitable technologies, modern production methods, and shared market information that empowers our local producers.”

Dr. Henry Rotich, representing the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) as Director of Metrology and Testing, echoed the need for structural improvement within the industry. Dr. Rotich called on Kenyan farmers and processors to focus intensely on elevating and refining phytosanitary standards. He noted that strict compliance with safety, quality, and technical standards remains the single most critical bridge for Kenyan agricultural products to successfully penetrate and compete in the highly lucrative global market.

In immediate execution of this MoU, KNCCI through the Chamber Business Academy will launch an intensive, one-week professional training course on mushroom farming starting next week. Participants will be trained in oyster and white mushroom cultivation, mushroom physiology and ecology, nutritional and environmental requirements, simplified cultivation methods, pest and disease control, grading, preservation, packaging, export procedures and market trade.

Meanwhile KNCCI’s Chamber Business Academy and the Institute of Human Edible Fungihave also signed a MoU for strategic cooperation.

END

Editors Note

• According to the KNBS Economic Survey 2026, agriculture accounted for 23.2% of GDP in 2025, while the value of marketed agricultural production reached approximately KSh706 billion.
• Within this sector, mushroom production presents a strong but underdeveloped commercial opportunity.
• The most widely cited industry baseline estimates Kenya annual mushroom demand at approximately 1,200 tonnes, against domestic production of about 500 tonnes. This indicates a potential supply gap of approximately 700 tonnes annually. Although these figures require an updated national assessment, it still shows that domestic production is not meeting market demand.
• Demand exists among hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, food processors, institutions and households.
• Buyers require consistent volumes, good quality, proper grading, reliable packaging and predictable supply.

The post KNCCI and China’s CAPETPC Sign Landmark MoU to Revolutionize Kenya’s Mushroom Value Chain appeared first on KNCCI.

Kenya National Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KNCCI) China Office in partnership with the China–Africa Economic and Trade Promotion Council (CAETPC), successfully hosted an Investor Attraction and Business Networking Session in Shanghai, China, engaging with over 70 Chinese companies eager to explore investment opportunities in Kenya’s dynamic market.

During the event, Fredrick Mukilya, Chief Representative of the KNCCI China Office, detailed Kenya unmatched economic potential, a gateway to Eastern and Central Africa and the third-largest economy in Sub-Saharan Africa, recognized for its stable macroeconomic environment, transparent regulatory systems and strong financial markets.
In 2024, the manufacturing sector contributed 7.7% to Kenya GDP, reflecting a 2.4% growth from 2023 1.8%. This expansion was driven by rapid growth in textiles and apparel, valued at KES 57.5 billion (RMB 2.99 billion), leather and leather products at KES 6.2 billion (RMB 322.4 million) and increasing exports of agro-processed goods to Asia. Kenya agricultural exports to China are flourishing, with avocados worth KES 22.1 billion (RMB 1.2 billion), macadamia nuts at KES 7.8 billion (RMB 406 million), tea exports reaching KES 168.3 billion (RMB 8.8 billion), and cut flowers at KES 108.1 billion (RMB 5.62 billion). These achievements position Kenya as an agricultural powerhouse and a dependable export partner.

He highlighted Kenya’s leadership in green industrialization, where over 90% of electricity is from renewable sources—geothermal (44.2%), hydro (28.9%), wind (14.3%) and solar (3.7%), building a sustainable, low-carbon manufacturing base attractive to global investors. With a young, skilled workforce exceeding 20 million, competitive labor costs and top-tier logistics via Mombasa and Lamu ports, plus duty-free access to markets under AfCFTA and EPA agreements, Kenya presents a strategic, cost-effective platform for investors seeking access to Africa’s 1.4 billion consumers. He stressed that investing in Kenya means engaging with a nation where growth aligns with stability, innovation offers opportunities and partnerships transform potential into prosperity.

The CAETPC leadership reaffirmed its commitment to continue cooperating with KNCCI in engaging with Chinese investors through ongoing forums, matchmaking sessions, and high-level business visits aimed at deepening Sino–Kenyan cooperation.

The post Over 70 Chinese Companies Explore Kenya’s Booming Investment Landscape at KNCCI–CAETPC Shanghai Forum appeared first on KNCCI.