Kenyans Abroad Get New Digital Platform for Investment and Development Project

President William Ruto has launched the Kenya Diaspora Impact Platform, a digital initiative aimed at connecting Kenyans abroad with investment and development opportunities in the country.

The platform was unveiled on Sunday evening in New York during a meeting with Kenyans living in the United States, ahead of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. It was developed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Department for Diaspora Affairs in partnership with the United Nations in Kenya and Equity Group Holdings. It is intended to connect Kenyans abroad with opportunities in housing, healthcare, agriculture and enterprise development.

The launch was formalised through a joint Declaration of Intent signed by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi on behalf of the government, Equity Group chief executive James Mwangi for the private sector, and UN Resident Coordinator Garry Conille for the United Nations.

The partnership is intended to establish a framework for diaspora engagement based on transparency, accountability and measurable development outcomes.

President Ruto said the platform would expand the role of the diaspora beyond sending money to Kenya.

“This platform we have unveiled today has been developed to elevate the diaspora role in community projects, financing MSMEs, creating enterprises and transferring skills and knowledge while connecting Kenyans abroad to opportunities that meaningfully contribute to national transformation,” he said.

The platform is expected to provide access to community projects, financing for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, and opportunities for skills and knowledge transfer. It will also seek to connect Kenyans abroad with projects and investment opportunities in priority sectors.

Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga and Social Health Authority chief executive Mercy Mwangangi addressed the New York meeting and outlined opportunities in the housing and healthcare sectors. The launch comes as diaspora remittances remain an important source of foreign exchange for Kenya. It also follows concerns over fraudulent investment schemes targeting Kenyans living abroad.

The government says the new platform will provide a secure and structured channel through which the diaspora can participate in investment and development initiatives.