President William Ruto has launched a new digital platform aimed at connecting Kenyans living abroad with investment and development opportunities back home.
The Kenya Diaspora Impact Platform was unveiled on Sunday, September 20, during Ruto’s meeting with Kenyans living in the United States in New York.
The launch came as the President attends the 81st United Nations General Assembly, where Kenya is seeking to attract more investment and strengthen economic partnerships.
The platform is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Department for Diaspora Affairs.
It is designed to connect Kenyans abroad with opportunities in community projects, financing of micro, small and medium enterprises, enterprise creation and skills and knowledge transfer.
Ruto said the initiative would help shift the diaspora’s contribution beyond sending money to families and towards direct investment in the country’s economy.
“Our diaspora is a vital part of Kenya’s growth story, not only through remittances, but through investment, expertise, innovation and global networks,” Ruto said.
He said the Government wanted to create a stronger link between Kenyans abroad and opportunities available in the country.
“We want to make it easier for those in Diaspora to convert assets and enterprises into long-term wealth,” the President said.
Ruto identified housing, healthcare and agriculture among the sectors where Kenyans living abroad could invest.
He, however, said the platform would only succeed if investors could trust the information and opportunities presented to them.
“Trust must be at the centre for this initiative to succeed. Information must be reliable and transparency should be the operating principle if the platform has to achieve its objectives,” he said.
The launch was accompanied by the signing of a Joint Declaration of Intent involving the Kenyan Government, the United Nations in Kenya and Equity Group Holdings.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi signed the declaration on behalf of the Government, while Equity Group CEO James Mwangi represented the private sector.
UN Resident Coordinator in Kenya Garry Conille signed on behalf of the United Nations.
Ruto said the platform would allow Kenyans abroad to identify verified investment opportunities and contribute their skills, capital and expertise to projects at home.
The President has previously described the Kenyan diaspora as an important partner in the country’s development, citing their contribution through remittances, investment, skills transfer and innovation.
The new platform therefore adds an investment and enterprise dimension to the Government’s wider diaspora engagement programme as Kenya seeks to attract more capital from its citizens living and working abroad.