Kenya has signed a series of multibillion-shilling investment agreements with China as part of President William Ruto’s latest official visit to the Asian economic powerhouse.
The deals, valued at more than Ksh126 billion, are aimed at advancing the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and will focus on key sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism.
Breakdown of the Investment Commitments
Under the manufacturing sector, Kenya secured a total of $320 million (Ksh41.4 billion) in funding. Among the key beneficiaries are:
China Wu Yi – awarded $150 million (Ksh19.4 billion) for construction and engineering projects.
Rongtai Steel Co. Ltd – received $100 million (Ksh12.9 billion) to expand its operations.
Chongqing Shangcheng Apparel Group Co. Ltd / Pengfeng Investment Ltd – allocated $20 million (Ksh2.5 billion) for apparel manufacturing.
Kenya Smart Transportation Industry Park / Anhui Jiubao Electronic Technology Co. Ltd – secured $50 million (Ksh6.4 billion), marking Anhui Jiubao’s first investment in Kenya.
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In the agriculture sector, a total of $430 million (Ksh55.6 billion) was committed. Highlights include:
Shandong Jialejia Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Technology Co. Ltd, a first-time investor, is set to develop a 100-acre chicken farming project in Kajiado County. The farm, expected to house 500,000 hens, is projected to create around 500 jobs and comes with an investment of $30 million (Ksh3.8 billion).
Zonken Group (Biotech Corporation Ltd & Zonken Environmental Technology Ltd) has pledged $400 million (Ksh51.8 billion) for large-scale aloe cultivation and processing in Baringo County. The project will also include a 72-acre apple and grape farm.
Tourism also featured in the investment package, with $230 million (Ksh29.7 billion) earmarked for the sector.
The funding will come from Hunan Conference Exhibition Group in partnership with Huatian Hotel Management Co., a major hotel investor with operations across Europe and Southeast Asia. This marks their first entry into the Kenyan market.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
This marks President Ruto’s third trip to China since taking office in 2022. His previous visits were in October 2023 for the Third Belt and Road Forum, and in September 2024 for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
President Ruto is holding high-level talks with his counterpart, President Xi Jinping, to discuss further collaboration on infrastructure, trade, regional security, and global development matters.
China has so far financed and implemented major projects such as the Standard Gauge Railway, Nairobi Expressway, Lamu Port, and the Kipevu Oil Terminal.
