NAIROBI, Kenya – The Kenya Development Corporation (KDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to sector-based investment as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth across Africa.
Speaking during the inaugural NextFrontierAfrica Summit, KDC Director General Norah Ratemo emphasized the urgent need to rally capital toward high-impact sectors such as digital and creative industries, healthcare, manufacturing, tourism, and post-harvest management.
“This event is very significant for Kenya’s development progression. These sectors contribute significantly to our GDP, and we believe that by driving investment into them, we can unlock substantial economic value,” Ratemo stated.
She added that KDC’s Strategic Plan 2.0 would be shaped by insights from the summit, offering targeted financing solutions to bridge capital access gaps.
The summit brought together investors, policymakers, innovators, and development partners, with discussions anchored on inclusive and strategic partnerships.
Supporting the agenda, Principal Secretary for Trade Regina Ombam underscored the importance of trade competitiveness in unlocking national prosperity.
“Trade is the lifeblood of Kenya’s economy. It connects our farmers to global markets, our MSMEs to regional value chains, and our industries to new opportunities that fuel jobs and innovation,” she said.
Ombam highlighted Kenya’s export growth to sH1.04 trillion in 2023 and ongoing efforts to expand market access through AfCFTA, infrastructure upgrades, and customs digitization.
Her sentiments were echoed by Principal Secretary for the State Department of Industry Juma Mukhwana who notied that Kenya’s investment strategy is anchored on inclusive growth and support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
