Kisumu engages Japanese investors; a Business Forum focused on Kisumu’s investment, regulatory, and trade landscape.

The event provides an opportunity to orient the Japanese Business Community on the investment trends and opportunities within multiple sectors in Kisumu and the greater lake region, to guide their expansion and investment decisions.

1. Underscore that Kisumu’s engagement with the Japanese business community over the past 3 years, has been a dynamic one, with Sondu Miriu dam being the largest Japanese investment in the region. Highlight the kiliMOL Agricultural activities at the Ahero irrigation scheme- mechanization of rice farming. MOL Logistics pack house, cold storage facility at the Kisumu International Airport ( Contract stage)
2. Though the current economic landscape faces some challenges as countries emerge from the global political and health crisis, there are still several opportunities in Kenya, and Africa at large, that investors can leverage. With Africa poised to be the next global economic powerhouse, we encourage investors to explore business opportunities in Kisumu and Lake Region.
3. There is a potential customer pool of 14 million within the lake region and more than 300 million in East Africa. Our membership in regional and continental trade blocs (e.g., EAC, COMESA and AfCFTA) positions the City of Kisumu/Lake Region as the Gateway to East Africa due to the land, rail, air, and water network which makes it a hub for rapidly integrating East Africa.
4. The encouragement for the Japanese business people is to see the potential of the market and to explore the market. If you are a manufacturer, you want to be part of a consumer market that is the largest. What Kisumu and the lake region offer is an opportunity in manufacturing, education, agriculture, health services, tourism, ICT, energy, transport, and logistics. Other attractive sectors include real estate/construction, financial services, and pharmaceuticals.
   Beyond all that is happening in the world, there is a tacit agreement that Africa has a significant role to play in reviving the global economy and mitigating the effects of climate change, considering its vast unexplored resources and market. We believe that Kisumu and the lake region is an entry point to this real potential and we would like to be part of their growth story.
   Kisumu recognizes the quality of Japanese business operations and is very keen on exploring and maintaining mutually beneficial partnerships with the Japanese business community.