The County government of Kisumu has organized an international investor conference in September to woo investors in to the area.
The event slated for September 26th to 30th, 2021 targets to market the lakeside county which has witnessed renewed growth over the last three years as an investment hub.
Over 3, 000 investors are targeted to attend the conference as the county repositions itself as the regional business hub for the Lake Region Bloc (LREB) and East Africa.
While making the announcement, Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong’o said the county government plans to showcase existing investment opportunities across the county during the conference.
Among the sectors to be showcased include, agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, industrialization, sports, culture and talent development, film, infrastructure and energy.
Preparations for the conference, he said, were almost complete adding that it shall be held in strict adherence to the Covid-19 protocols.
The conference, he said, is set to put Kisumu on the map as a regional investment hub as the government moves to finalize various major infrastructure projects in the area.
So far, the 217 km stretch Meter Gauge Railway Line from Nakuru to Kisumu has been completed with passenger and cargo trains expected to be launched.
Kisumu port has also been refurbished at a cost of Sh3 billion and is set to be officially launched soon to reopen maritime trade between Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
The government has also secured land at Miwani in Muhoroni Sub-County for establishment of a public Economic Processing Zone (EPZ).
These amongst other incentives by the County and National governments are set to be discussed at length during the investor conference.
Prof. Nyong’o added that the county government plans to use the event as a precursor for the 9th, edition of Afri-Cities conference to be held in Kisumu in April 2022.
Afri-Cities is the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa’s (UCLGA) flagship Pan-African event that is held every three years in one of the five regions of Africa.
The event attracts communities and local authorities in African countries, as well as financial institutions, civil society groups and development partners at continental and international levels.
Kisumu is the first intermediary city in Africa to host the continental event which has attracted over 4, 000 delegates.
By Chris Mahandara
