Kenyans have been urged to leverage trade and investment opportunities to ensure the country’s economy thrives.
Speaking on Saturday 28th March, 2026, Equity Group Managing Director and CEO, Dr. James Mwangi, emphasized that Kenyans should take the lead in investing in their country to ensure that returns remain within the economy.
“I’m glad that foreign investors continue to see Kenya as a strong and attractive destination. Their confidence in our economy is important,” he said.
He spoke the opening of the 19th Ambassadors Conference in Nairobi.
Dr. Mwangi highlighted that infrastructure alone cannot drive economic growth. He also challenged Kenyans to save, noting that strong domestic savings are critical for national development.
He cited partnerships with Trade Connect and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat as initiatives designed to facilitate trade, provide financing, and remove barriers for Kenyan entrepreneurs.
He also explained that ambassadors play a critical role in connecting financial institutions and investors to opportunities within the country.
“Our foreign missions are critical in promoting exports and attracting investment. If we partner with our diplomats and equip them with the right tools, the results will be reflected in foreign currency inflows, job creation, and wealth generation for Kenyans,” he said.
President William Ruto, who opened the conference, urged Kenya’s ambassadors and high commissioners to position the country as a credible investment destination, unlock new markets, and strengthen strategic partnerships.
“Our foreign policy must work for Kenya in tangible ways, opening markets for our enterprises, attracting quality investment, and enhancing our influence globally,” he said.
The push for economic diplomacy follows Kenya’s recent launch of two digital trade platforms, BiasharaLink and Deal House, aimed at transforming African embassies into active hubs for cross-border commerce under AfCFTA.
The platforms were unveiled in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on the sidelines of the 39th African Union Summit, where Heads of State emphasized execution-focused measures to unlock the full potential of the continental free trade pact.
Developed by Real Sources Africa, a pan-African trade infrastructure institution, the platforms aim to close Africa’s “trade execution gap,” addressing the disconnect between trade inquiries and actual deal closures.
African embassies collectively receive more than 3,500 trade inquiries monthly, yet fewer than one per cent translate into completed transactions.
BiasharaLink enables missions, exporters, investors, and market actors to capture, structure, and track trade and investment opportunities aligned with AfCFTA priorities.
Deal House acts as the execution engine, validating opportunities, matching them with credible partners, connecting them to financing, and facilitating contract signing.
The initiative signals a shift from policy ambition to tangible deal-making, emphasizing results-oriented economic diplomacy.
It also targets small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and women-led businesses, providing structured access to financing and cross-border trade opportunities.
