President William Ruto has secured landmark investment deals worth Sh107 billion from Chinese firms during his four-day state visit to Beijing, China. The agreements, witnessed at the Kenya-China Investor Roundtable, mark a significant step in Kenya’s journey towards economic transformation, job creation, and expanded bilateral trade.
The Kenya-China business forum, organized by the Ministry of Trade in collaboration with KenInvest Authority and the Chinese government, facilitated the signing of seven major investment deals. These span key sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, and smart technology — all aligned with Kenya’s economic growth agenda.
Among the most notable commitments is China Wuyi’s Sh19.5 billion investment in a special economic zone (SEZ) on 191 acres of land in Kikambala, Kilifi. This zone will support manufacturing operations, create over 5,000 jobs, and boost export-oriented growth, taking advantage of Kenya’s SEZ-friendly policy environment.
In Kajiado, Penfeng Investment Limited and Shangcheng Apparel Group are jointly investing Sh2.6 billion to develop warehouses for textile, garment, and solar power production. Meanwhile, Rongtai Steel Limited will spend another Sh19.5 billion to set up a steel manufacturing plant in Lukenya, a strategic move that supports Kenya’s affordable housing initiative and is expected to employ over 700 workers.
Agriculture was a central focus of the deals, with Shandong Jialejia Agriculture pledging Sh3.9 billion to develop a 500,000-hen egg farm in Kajiado. This project taps into Kenya’s zero-rated import policy for hatchery eggs, enhancing food security while creating new agribusiness opportunities for local farmers.
Zonken Group, a biotech firm, plans to inject Sh52 billion into agriculture and agribusiness. This includes Sh41.6 billion for a large aloe vera processing facility in Baringo and Sh10.4 billion for a vineyard on 72 acres to promote Kenya’s budding grape export industry, promising new markets and rural employment.
The tourism sector is also set to benefit, with the Huatian Hotel Group investing Sh39 billion in acquiring and leasing hotel properties in Nairobi. This move aims to accommodate increased tourist arrivals following Kenya’s new visa-free entry policy, boosting the hospitality industry and foreign exchange earnings.
In the tech and infrastructure space, Kenya Smart Transportation Industry Park and Anhui Jiubao Electronic Technology are investing Sh6.5 billion to establish a factory in Murang’a that will produce smart traffic lights and transport equipment. This project alone is expected to generate over 5,000 jobs and improve urban mobility systems.
Additionally, KenInvest signed cooperation agreements with three key Chinese entities: the China-Africa Development Fund, Hangzhou Municipal Bureau of Commerce, and Duofu International Holdings Group. These partnerships aim to enhance e-commerce development, attract further Chinese capital, and support large-scale infrastructure projects.
In his keynote address, President Ruto outlined Kenya’s investor-friendly policies, including a 10-year tax holiday, guaranteed repatriation of profits, legal protections, and a stable regulatory environment. “Kenya is open for business,” he declared, encouraging more Chinese investors to join the over 500 already operating in the country.
President William Ruto has extended an invitation to the 2026 Nairobi Investor Conference, positioning Kenya as East Africa’s leading investment and logistics hub. He hailed the investment pledges as a historic milestone, one that will not only propel the nation’s economic growth but also solidify Kenya’s place on the global investment map.
