Kenya partnered with Ford Africa in the automotive sector for a progressive policy reforms and strategic that aims to boost local production of vehicle parts and position the country as a regional automotive hub.
Meeting with Ford Africa President Neale Hill and his team, Investment, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui discussed on how to expand opportunities for local assembly and component manufacturing creating job opportunities for the people.
At the meeting, which brought together government officials and industry stakeholders, explored how Kenya can leverage its industrial base and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to be part of the growing Kenyan industry.
The innovation will not only create jobs for the youth but also support supply chains, build technical capacity and support industrial growth that will drive Kenya’s automotive revolution.
CS Kinyanjui emphasized that government will support policies and legislative frameworks, including the Automotive Bill, to provide investor certainty and attract more investments into the sector.
The meeting highlighted several priorities, such as local assembly expansion, which Ford showed interest in scaling up the assembly operations in Kenya.
They agreed to produce spare parts locally, reducing reliance on imports and affirmed its commitment in fast-tracking the Automotive Bill, which will provide a legislative framework to attract investors and protect local manufacturers.
The ministry ensured that policies and incentives are in place to encourage both local and international players to invest in Kenya.