Kenya and Japan continue to deepen a strong and mutually beneficial partnership that has spanned over six decades. Japan is currently the third largest source of development cooperation with Kenya, contributing more than USD 5 billion (KSh 650 billion) towards transformative projects across the country. This support has been instrumental in key sectors such as geothermal development in Olkaria, expansion of the Port of Mombasa, and the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone, among others.
Today, more than 120 Japanese companies are already invested in Kenya. These firms leverage Kenya’s strategic location as a gateway to Eastern Africa, vibrant financial and capital markets, expanding infrastructure, and highly skilled workforce to establish and grow their African operations.
Kenya Investment Forum in Yokohama
On the sidelines of TICAD9, KenInvest hosted the Kenya Investment Forum in Yokohama City, Japan, graced by H.E. the President of Kenya. The forum brought together Japanese business leaders and multinational companies to explore new avenues for investment in Kenya.
During his address, H.E. the President reaffirmed that Kenya is open, ready, and eager for business, highlighting opportunities in digitisation, healthcare and medical technology, precision farming, e-mobility and EV manufacturing, as well as green energy industrialisation. Japanese investors expressed strong interest in tapping into Kenya’s expanding economy and strategic position as a regional investment hub.
Expanding Partnerships in E-Mobility and Automotive Manufacturing
Kenya is scaling up collaboration with Toyota Tsusho Corporation to support its transition to e-mobility. This includes plans to acquire 5,000 e-mobility vehicles for the police service and national government administration officials. The partnership will expand into local assembly and eventual manufacturing of electric vehicles in Kenya, reinforcing the country’s position as a hub for sustainable mobility solutions.
Strong Foundations in Cooperation and Development
Kenya’s collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) continues to play a central role in advancing infrastructure, energy, and port development projects. At TICAD9, Kenya signed several agreements with Japanese partners, including:
- A Statement of Intent on the Samurai Bond, unlocking access to financing in Japanese capital markets for national development priorities.
- A Letter of Intent and Concept Note with Shionogi & Co. Ltd, enabling accelerated access to Cefiderocol, a cutting-edge antibiotic for pneumonia treatment in Kenya.
- A Memorandum of Cooperation on Human Resource Development, between the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institution and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, aimed at strengthening industrial capacity and skills transfer.
Opportunities for Japanese Investment
As Kenya’s economy continues to expand, opportunities for Japanese businesses are rapidly growing in key sectors such as digitisation and ICT, medical technology and healthcare innovation, precision farming and agribusiness, electric vehicle manufacturing, and green energy industrialisation.
Kenya is also championing intra-African trade and regional integration, supported by visa-free entry for citizens of nearly all African countries and strong progress in road, rail, and air connectivity. With access to a USD 50 trillion+ continental market under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), investors in Kenya can scale across Africa with ease.
At KenInvest, we are proud to have organized the Kenya Investment Forum in Yokohama, and to facilitate and support Japanese businesses that have chosen Kenya as their investment destination. We remain committed to ensuring that investors receive the guidance, aftercare, and enabling environment needed to thrive. We also look forward to welcoming more Japanese companies to tap into Kenya’s resilient growth, 93% renewable energy base, and expanding market opportunities.
Kenya is open, ready, and eager for business.