The Trade and Investment Roadshow in Nairobi brought together over 300 investors, policy makers and business leaders from 35 countries to explore business opportunities in Kenya and the wider East African region.
The Kenya Trade and Investment Roadshow 2025 opened on Friday with the theme “Emancipating East Africa: Kenya’s role as a driver of regional prosperity”. The event follows a similar mission held in Rwanda earlier this month.
Equity Group CEO Dr James Mwangi told the gathering that East Africa is entering a period of long-term economic expansion. He said the region’s demographics and digital adoption are shaping the future market.
“Africa has been experiencing very rapid growth for a long time,” he said. “More than 75% of the population is under the age of 35. They are digital natives.”
Mwangi said the forum was aimed at facilitating investment deals and encouraged participants to use private sessions to advance negotiations.
“Spend more time in one-on-one meetings, including signing contracts, rather than just having tea,” he said. “And those agreements shouldn’t end with a handshake. If you agree, shake hands.”
He urged investors to consider Kenya as part of a broader regional market. “Think of Kenya as the center of the East African Community, with a population of 350 million people,” he said.
Mwangi said Equity Group has expanded its presence across East and Central Africa and is now operating with the support of international shareholders.
“We are organized in six markets and our influence will open doors for you,” he said. “The World Bank, through IFC, is our second largest shareholder, and the Norwegian sovereign wealth fund, the largest on the planet, is our largest shareholder.”
He said the bank’s partnership with regional lenders puts it in a position to help investors who need financing. “While I cannot personally write the checks that fund every investment proposal, we have built formidable partnerships, from KCB to Ecobank to Standard Chartered and Absa,” he said.
Mwangi added that Africa’s mineral deposits will play a central role in the global transition to renewable energy. “There can be no energy transition without strategic minerals,” he says. “Africa is too blessed.”
Lord Swire, Deputy Chairman of the Commonwealth Business Investment Council, said Kenya’s economic performance reflected institutional development over many years.
“Kenya and its growth never cease to amaze me,” he said. “The opportunities are huge and I’m amazed at what this country has become.”
He pointed out that there are structural cost advantages to trade between Commonwealth countries. He said: “It is cheaper for one company in the Commonwealth to do business with another, with an audited benefit of 19%.”
Ario Maiga, regional industry director for the International Finance Corporation’s Africa Financial Institutions Group, said Africa needs leaders who can turn ideas into action.
“Africa needs people who can think big and make things happen,” he says. “If we create the right conditions and allow people to realize their potential, the future of this continent will be secured.”
Mr. Maiga said the World Bank Group’s work in Africa focuses on supporting governments and institutions to build competitive economies. “Our mission as the World Bank is to support economic development by providing financial resources, technical expertise, and policy guidance to support sustainable development,” he said.
He described East Africa as a vibrant center of innovation. “East Africa is at the forefront of innovation, leading the way in technology, entrepreneurship and creative solutions across Africa,” he said.
