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Thanks in part to stringent reforms, Kenya’s GDP grew from 2.8% in 2003 to 4.3% in 2004, and this economic progress is revising investor interest in the country’s high-potential industrial sector.

According to Chirau Ali Mwakwere, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kenya offers strong investment prospects in a number of fields, particularly agriculture, food processing, manufacturing, motor vehicles production, construction, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, metal products and engineering. In the agriculture sector, former Minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere cites the production of flowers, beans, pineapples, macadamia nuts, melons, and passion fruit, as well as the production of sugar, tea, meat and dairy products. “The main investment opportunities in the agriculture sector concern adding value to agricultural products which are currently exported in raw form,” he explains. The dairy industry has also seen strong growth, with forward-thinking investment in processed milk products that can be more easily used and stored in rural areas, as well as exported. Kenya remains the world's third-largest exporter of tea.Kenya’s major export commodities include cut flowers, fluorspar, gemstones, gold, petroleum, pyrethrum, salt, soda ash, sodium carbonate, sugar, tea and coffee, while top imports are automobiles, beverages, capital goods, consumer goods, crude oil, and equipment, petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, professional and scientific instruments and resins. Kenya’s export processing zones (in Mombasa, Athi, Nairobi, Della Rue and Nakuru) offer up-to-date services for manufacturing.
Among Kenya’s advantages for investors are its strategic location in East Africa, Nairobi’s recognized role as a commercial and trading hub for the region, and Kenya’s membership in a number of trading organizations, including the East African Cooperation formed by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda with the goals of harmonizing tariffs and customs regimes, supporting the free movement of people, and improving regional infrastructures.Kenya’s successful microenterprises also represent investment opportunities that can benefit local communities as well as profiting investors. Recognizing that promoting foreign direct investment in Kenya is a top priority if the country is to get its economy back on track, the government is continuing to develop incentives. As for the future, former Minister Mwakwere says, “I expect Kenya to realize meaningful growth within the next five years.”