Kenya Establishes First International Investment Office Pilot in Hangzhou, China
Kenya has launched its first-ever pilot Kenya International Investment Office in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, People’s Republic of China, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to attract international investment through a more targeted and locally anchored investment promotion model.
The initiative is designed to bring Kenya’s investment promotion services closer to international investors, strengthen engagement with prospective investment partners and facilitate the development of commercially viable investment opportunities.
The pilot office, developed in collaboration with the Kenya Embassy in Beijing and the Zhejiang-Africa Service Centre, is anchored on the Invest Kenya One Stop Centre model. It will provide a structured platform for investment information, investor engagement, business matchmaking and investment facilitation.
Hangzhou was selected because of its strong position in digital innovation, e-commerce, advanced manufacturing and green technology. These areas align with Kenya’s ambitions to strengthen its technology ecosystem and attract investment into emerging and strategic sectors.
The launch brought together representatives of the Kenyan Government, Invest Kenya, Zhejiang provincial and local government institutions, financial institutions and business organisations.
The Kenyan delegation was led by Kenya’s Ambassador to China, H.E. Willy Bett, and included Invest Kenya Chief Executive Officer John Mwendwa and Principal Secretary for Investment Promotion Abubakar H. Abubakar, among other senior officials.
Other participating institutions included the Zhejiang-Africa Service Centre, Qiantang District Government, Zhejiang Provincial Department of Commerce, China Zheshang Bank and the Kenya Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
The International Investment Office Model seeks to establish a proactive overseas presence that identifies investors, develops investment leads and connects international businesses with opportunities in Kenya.
The Hangzhou pilot forms part of a longer-term ambition to establish up to 15 International Investment Offices in strategic global markets, strengthening Kenya’s ability to compete for foreign direct investment and facilitate the establishment of productive investments.
