Kenya is seeking increased Chinese investment in manufacturing, agro-processing and pharmaceuticals as the government moves to address the trade imbalance between the two countries and create more jobs.
Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui said this during the China–Kenya High-Level Investment Forum in Beijing, which brought together about 100 companies to explore investment opportunities and strengthen economic cooperation.
Kinyanjui noted that Kenya imported goods worth KSh671 billion from China last year while exports to the Asian country remained below KSh17 billion.
He said the government wants more Chinese companies to establish manufacturing operations in Kenya while helping Kenyan products access the Chinese market.
“China has been instrumental in developing our roads, railways and ports. We are now keen to expand this partnership into productive sectors that create jobs and increase our exports,” he said.
The CS cited Tatu City Special Economic Zone as an example of the potential for Chinese investment, noting that seven Chinese manufacturers have invested KSh51.5 billion and created more than 10,000 jobs.
Kenya hopes to replicate this success across the country by attracting industries and strengthening local supply chains.
Kinyanjui also welcomed China Exim Bank’s growing focus on financing private sector investments, saying the move could unlock capital for industrial expansion, technology transfer and value addition.
The forum was organised by China Exim Bank, the Kenya Embassy in Beijing and Invest Kenya, as Kenya seeks to position itself as a manufacturing gateway to the wider African market.
