Kenya continues to stand tall as one of Africa’s most attractive investment destinations, reinforcing its position as a key economic anchor within the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). Supported by strong government–private sector collaboration, the country has steadily improved its competitiveness, particularly in manufacturing, energy and regional trade, placing it at the centre of Africa’s evolving investment landscape.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the COMESA region reached an impressive US$65 billion in 2024, with Kenya ranking among the bloc’s top five investment destinations. The figures are contained in the inaugural COMESA Investment Report 2025, jointly produced by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the COMESA Regional Investment Agency (RIA), underscoring the region’s growing appeal to global investors.
According to the report, FDI inflows into COMESA rose by 16 percent in 2024, reflecting deepening investor confidence across multiple economies. Egypt, Ethiopia, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya together absorbed 90 percent of total inflows, highlighting Kenya’s standing among the region’s most strategic and stable investment hubs.
While the report does not break down country-specific inflows in its public summary, it clearly positions Kenya as an increasingly important destination for energy, manufacturing, agribusiness and regional headquarters operations. These sectors align closely with Kenya’s national development priorities, as the country seeks to expand value addition, strengthen supply chains and position Nairobi as a gateway for multinational firms operating across Africa.
The report further notes a near doubling of international project finance across COMESA to US$79 billion, driven largely by renewable energy, grid expansion and large-scale infrastructure projects. Kenya’s established leadership in geothermal, wind and clean energy development places it in a strong position to capture a significant share of the green investment capital flowing into the region.
Commenting on the findings, COMESA Assistant Secretary General Amb. Dr. Mohamed Kadah said the results confirm growing global investor confidence in the region. UNCTAD’s Richard Bolwijn added that COMESA now has a clear opportunity to translate this momentum into long-term resilience through industrialisation, SME development and improved regional connectivity—an agenda on which Kenya continues to lead both within COMESA and across the broader African continent.
