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.

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KNCCI President Dr. Erick Rutto’s remarks were delivered on his behalf by National Director and Chair Economic Diplomacy Committee Cynthia Nyawira, highlighted the Chamber’s active role in Kenya’s economic diplomacy.

The conference drew an impressive line-up of key stakeholders, underscoring the significance of the Kenya–China trade agenda including the Kenya Investment Authority and Lucy Muchoki the Chair, KNCCI Programmes and Partnerships Committee & CEO, Kenya Agribusiness and Agroindustry Alliance. The Changsha delegation included Li Weiqun Vice Chairman, Standing Committee of Changsha Municipal People’s Congress, Yang Zhiren — Deputy Director, Changsha Municipal Bureau of Commerce and China Business Representatives in Kenya including from , Zoomlion Overseas Company, eWaka Mobility, KILIMALL Kenya, Rideence Africa Limited and Executive Vice President, Hunan Association in Kenya Xiao Huizhong.

A central theme of the conference was the urgent need to address Kenya’s trade imbalance with China. Kenya’s trade deficit currently stands at approximately KES 654 billion. However, China’s decision to grant duty-free access to 98.2% of Kenyan exports was lauded as a transformative opportunity with early results are already showing tea and coffee exports to China have soared.

KNCCI Chair Programmes and Partnerships Ms. Lucy Muchoki highlighted the growing role of agriculture in Kenya’s exports to China, pointing to the strong potential for agribusiness expansion. She underscored the need to deliberately involve more youth and women in this growth, a call to action that aligns with KNCCI’s broader agenda of inclusive economic participation.

The Changsha delegation presented their city as a strategic distribution hub for goods entering China, with the capacity to channel products to markets across the entire country. This positions Changsha as a natural and efficient partner for Kenyan exporters seeking nationwide reach in China.

Presentations from Changsha’s industry leaders also spotlighted significant opportunities in biomedical devices, heavy machinery, new energy, and electric mobility sectors where Chinese enterprises are actively seeking African partners. KNCCI’s role in orienting and facilitating incoming Chinese investors was formally acknowledged and welcomed.

In remarks delivered by National Director Ms. Cynthia Nyawira, KNCCI outlined Kenya’s compelling investment proposition a dynamic economy that grew 4.6% in 2025, a youthful and entrepreneurial workforce, world-class digital infrastructure, and preferential access to a regional market of over 300 million consumers through the EAC, COMESA, and AfCFTA.

KNCCI also highlighted gains from KNCCI’s first overseas office in Changsha, established in December 2023 and which continues to serve as an anchor for Kenya–China business engagement, having already facilitated missions involving over 200 Kenyan business leaders.

Overall members in agribusiness, manufacturing, ICT, renewable energy, electric mobility, and biomedical sectors stand to benefit directly from the partnerships being developed through this forum.

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The delegation was formally received under the leadership of KNCCI President, Dr. Eric Rutto, who hosted the visiting investors and facilitated strategic introductions to key government agencies and private-sector stakeholders, showcasing Kenya diverse and bankable investment opportunities.

The visiting delegation comprised enterprises with strong interest in renewable energy, smart infrastructure, mining, manufacturing technologies, logistics and deep-sea fishing, sectors that align closely with Kenya’s national development priorities and private-sector-led growth agenda.

During an engagement with KenInvest, CEO Mr. John Mwendwa, OGW, delivered a comprehensive presentation outlining Kenya investment journey, covering market entry procedures, regulatory facilitation, priority growth sectors and the end-to-end support available to investors to ensure successful project implementation.

Dr. Rutto emphasized KNCCI role as a bridge between international investors and Kenya public and private sectors, highlighting opportunities for:

• Renewable energy deployment and energy-storage solutions
• Smart city infrastructure and urban lighting systems
• Value-addition in mining and manufacturing
• Logistics, shipping and trade facilitation
• Technology-driven agriculture and industrial innovation

The engagement builds on the momentum of the Kenya Investment Forum held in Beijing in 2025 and CAETE in Changsha 2025, signaling sustained Kenya–China economic cooperation and growing investor confidence in Kenya as a preferred gateway to East and Central Africa.

The visit reaffirmed Kenya readiness to partner with Chinese enterprises on commercially viable, sustainable and mutually beneficial investments, leveraging Kenya strategic location, skilled workforce

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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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