The Summit opened with strong representation from the KNCCI Elgeyo Marakwet Chapter, led by the County Chairman, Directors and the County CCM, who welcomed delegates and guided the Chamber’s hosting duties.

They were joined by senior national KNCCI leadership Chamber President Dr. Erick Rutto,  Western Region Director John Shimaka, CEO K.K. Mutai and Director Shadrack Kiprono reinforcing the Chamber’s unified commitment to supporting enterprise growth across the county.

Top government leaders also graced the event, including PS Dr. Chris Kiptoo, Governor Wisley Kipyegon Rotich, Deputy Governor Prof. Grace Cheserek and Senator Kisang William Kipkemoi, signalling strong public sector backing for Elgeyo Marakwet’s investment agenda.

The leaders toured all exhibition tents, interacting directly with more than 50 exhibitors across agribusiness, manufacturing, services and innovation.

Their conversations highlighted the county’s enormous potential  a true sleeping giant especially as the Governor’s administration pushes for industrial investment, land reform, modern agriculture and value-addition initiatives.

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The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), in partnership with the Korea Importers Association (KOIMA), today hosted the  in Nairobi, bringing together senior government officials, diplomatic leaders, industry captains, and business delegates from both countries. The forum sought to strengthen bilateral trade, promote investment opportunities, and expand market linkages between Kenya and the Republic of Korea.

The event opened with welcoming remarks by KNCCI CEO Mr. K.K. Mutai, who emphasized Kenya’s readiness to deepen commercial cooperation with Korea. He highlighted Kenya’s strong agricultural base, growing manufacturing capacity, and expanding logistics infrastructure, noting that these position Kenya as a reliable supplier to meet Korea’s import needs.

“Kenya is ready to become your supplier of choice,” said Mr. Mutai. “From globally renowned tea, coffee, flowers, fresh fruits, and vegetables to textiles and leather goods, Kenya provides high-quality, value-added products that meet international standards. Today marks an important step toward establishing long-term export partnerships between our two nations.”

KOIMA Chairperson Ms. Youn Young Mi commended the collaboration with KNCCI, reaffirming the association’s interest in securing deeper relationships with Kenyan exporters.

In his diplomatic remarks, H.E. Kang Hyung-shik, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Kenya, stressed the need for Korea to scale up its engagement with Africa, noting that Africa currently accounts for only 3% of Korea’s exports and 1% of Korea’s imports. He underscored the importance of events like this forum in expanding trade flows and building new economic bridges.

The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Abubakar Hassan Abubakar, Principal Secretary, State Department for Investment Promotion, who outlined Kenya’s strategic vision anchored in Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda. He noted that Kenya’s priorities in agriculture, healthcare, the digital economy, manufacturing, and climate action align closely with Korea’s strengths—creating strong foundations for collaboration.

“Let this forum turn contact into contracts and leads into real deals,” said the PS. He invited Korean investors to tap into opportunities in digital technology, precision agriculture, EV assembly, renewable energy, smart mobility, and green investment financing. The PS also introduced Kenya’s new Green Investment Fund, targeting SMEs in sectors such as EVs, sustainable agriculture, waste management, and green buildings.

The conference also explored Kenya’s wide access to global markets through major trade agreements such as the AfCFTA, EU–Kenya EPA, AGOA, the Kenya–UK EPA, and the Kenya–UAE CEPA. This, the PS emphasised, positions Kenya as a strategic entry point for Korean investors seeking regional and global expansion.

With bilateral trade standing at USD 203 million in 2024—with exports to Korea at USD 26 million and imports from Korea at USD 177 million—both sides agreed that there is significant room for growth. Opportunities highlighted included manufacturing, ICT, automotive assembly, healthcare, green energy, and agribusiness. Ongoing partnerships such as the cooperation at Konza Technopolis, Kenya’s flagship smart-city project, were showcased as high-impact investment platforms.

As the business-to-business meetings commenced, KNCCI reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating long-term partnerships and ensuring that Kenyan exporters are fully prepared for market entry into Korea.
“Today we open the door wider for high-quality Kenyan products to reach Korean consumers,” noted Mr. Mutai. “KNCCI remains dedicated to supporting exporters, strengthening market linkages, and ensuring this partnership flourishes for generations.”

The conference concluded with an invitation from the Government of Kenya to Korean investors to participate in the Kenya International Investment Conference (KIICO) scheduled for March 2026.

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Theme:

The Elgeyo Marakwet business community, government leaders, and development partners convened yesterday for a high-level Business Dinner held in preparation for the Elgeyo Marakwet International Business Forum 2025. The dinner, jointly organized by the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KNCCI) – Elgeyo Marakwet Chapter, the County Government of Elgeyo Marakwet, and Kaptagat Integrated, brought together key stakeholders to discuss investment readiness and position the county as a competitive regional hub.

Speakers emphasized unlocking strategic opportunities across agriculture, value addition, sports tourism, hospitality, and trade. The conversations highlighted Elgeyo Marakwet’s unique strengths—including its globally acclaimed athletic heritage—and its readiness to attract local and international investors.

Governor Wesley Rotich reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to creating a conducive investment climate. He noted that security and stability remain top priority as the county expands its outreach to external and international investors. He highlighted new openings in mango, avocado, macadamia, and coffee value chains, emphasizing that the county is proactively seeking partners to drive value addition and agro-industrial growth.

Chief Guest Treasury Principal Secretary Dr. Chris Kiptoo outlined the national government’s investment priorities for the region, citing infrastructure gaps as a major barrier to growth. He announced upcoming plans for improved road connectivity, including the Rironi corridor, which will boost market access for farm produce and enhance tourism flows—particularly in high-altitude sports tourism.

Dr. Kiptoo also applauded the county’s agricultural potential, noting that Elgeyo Marakwet’s mango varieties have one of the highest sugar contents in the country, positioning them favourably for export, juice manufacturing, and pulp production. He urged the county to enhance its global positioning while embedding sustainability in all development initiatives.

KNCCI Ag. CEO  K.K Mutai, in his address, emphasized KNCCI’s commitment to catalyzing investment and strengthening enterprise competitiveness. He reiterated the Chamber’s role in facilitating market linkages, trade missions, SME capacity building, and global partnerships.

“Elgeyo Marakwet is not only Kenya’s athletic capital; it is an emerging investment powerhouse,” he said. “From agriculture and value addition to sports tourism and MSME development, investors will find immense untapped potential here. KNCCI stands ready to support their journey, remove barriers, and connect them to global markets.”

He highlighted opportunities outlined in the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP 2023–2027), including dairy, horticulture, potatoes, apiculture, pyrethrum, and high-value livestock. He further underscored the Chamber’s national programmes in digital skills, e-commerce, export readiness, and SME financing that will benefit county enterprises.

Mutai called on local, regional, and international investors to explore partnerships ahead of the 2025 Summit:

“Elgeyo Marakwet is open for business and KNCCI is your gateway. Together, we can unlock prosperity for this county and build a globally competitive economic model for Kenya.”

The Business Dinner concluded with a renewed commitment among partners to champion investment promotion, strengthen public–private collaboration, and elevate Elgeyo Marakwet as a centre of excellence in trade, sports, tourism, and agriculture.

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