The Kenya-Japan Business Forum 2025 opened in Nairobi on January 16, focusing on enhancing trade, investment, and technological partnerships between the two nations. The forum, co-hosted by Kenya and the Embassy of Japan, follows a similar event held in Tokyo in February 2024 and seeks to attract more Japanese investments into Kenya.
Japan’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Fujii Hisayuki, led a 50-member delegation and urged Japanese businesses to expand their presence in Kenya, which has been identified as a priority country for Japan’s global investment strategy.
Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Korir Sing’Oei, described Kenya as a strategic gateway to East Africa, highlighting the region’s market of over 300 million people and its projected growth rate of 5.7% in 2024. He also cited Kenya’s Special Economic Zones, powered by green energy and affordable labor, as key drivers for attracting investments.
Dr. Sing’Oei noted that Kenya hosts 120 Japanese companies operating in sectors such as manufacturing, energy, and infrastructure, many of which adopt sustainable practices. He also confirmed that Kenya and Japan have signed a Bilateral Investment Treaty and are negotiating an agreement to avoid double taxation.
The forum brought together over 100 Kenyan and 30 Japanese companies from sectors such as ICT, healthcare, manufacturing, energy, and agriculture. Key speakers included Hon. Salim Mvurya, acting Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry, and PS Abubakar Hassan, alongside leaders of various business organizations.
