UK-Kenya Trade Mission 2024 Highlights Diaspora's Key Role in Economic Growth

The ongoing UK-Kenya Trade Mission 2024 in Nairobi has cast a spotlight on the instrumental role of the Kenyan diaspora in cultivating business relationships between Kenya and the global marketplace.

During the mission's opening proceedings, Kenya's Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu emphasized the diaspora's importance as a valuable asset bridging Kenya with international markets, particularly the United Kingdom and Commonwealth nations. The State Department for Diaspora Affairs has positioned itself to leverage diaspora engagement for Kenya's economic advancement. PS Njogu articulated the department's commitment to a comprehensive approach encompassing protection, engagement, empowerment, and prosperity for diaspora communities.

She emphasized that the diaspora has evolved beyond being merely an overseas community to become a crucial catalyst for investment, entrepreneurship, and trade development. This three-day trade and investment conference, organized through a collaborative effort involving multiple stakeholders including CICL UK, the British Chamber of Commerce, and various Kenyan government entities, serves as a platform for fostering new business partnerships and investment opportunities. The mission spans diverse sectors, including healthcare, real estate, manufacturing, education, technology, and finance, all while being hosted at Nairobi's Weston Hotel.

The event has drawn participation from notable figures across both nations. Among the attendees are Abubakar Hassan Abubakar, Principal Secretary for Investment Promotion; Leigh Stubblefield, UK's Deputy High Commissioner to Kenya; and Ambassador Isaiya Kabira, Secretary of the Investments and Entrepreneurship Directorate. Also present are KenInvest's Acting Managing Director Florence Benta Were and Farida Abbas representing the British Chamber of Commerce in Kenya. Of particular importance is the forthcoming Diaspora Investment Strategy, which is in its final stages of development. This comprehensive framework aims to maximize the diaspora's potential contribution to Kenya's socio-economic development.

PS Njogu stresses the historical importance of trade relationships between Kenya, the United Kingdom, and Commonwealth member states, noting their impact on interpersonal connections and economic growth across various sectors. According to Njogu, the trade mission represents more than just a conventional business event; it symbolizes a gateway to boundless possibilities. Through targeted matchmaking opportunities and initiatives to boost direct diaspora investments, the mission seeks to create tangible outcomes for all participants.