County Launches Program to Support Local Manufacturing

In a bold move to boost local industrial capacity, Nairobi City County has launched a new programme aimed at supporting light manufacturing operations across the capital. Under the initiative, the County Aggregation & Industrial Parks (CAIP) project will establish model industrial parks and common-user facilities to provide accessible workspaces, shared production infrastructure, and technical support for small-scale manufacturing businesses.
The programme aligns with Nairobi’s long-term industrial development goals. According to County planning documents, the CAIP facilities are intended to host knowledge-intensive, research-driven manufacturers working on high-value products — such as advanced textiles, agro-processed goods, and light machinery — while leveraging synergies across firms to drive economies of scale. The County’s COVID-19 economic recovery plan also highlights manufacturing as a key pillar, proposing strategies to support SMEs in production of local goods and value-addition.
Local manufacturers and business leaders have welcomed the initiative, saying it could significantly lower entry costs, reduce barriers to formalization, and stimulate innovation. By clustering manufacturers in specialized zones and providing shared facilities, the programme could help firms scale faster, access new markets, and improve quality. However, some analysts caution that success will hinge on consistent funding, transparent governance of the industrial parks, and integration with broader infrastructure such as utilities and logistics.
Looking ahead, Nairobi County plans to roll out its industrial centres in phases, beginning with selected sub-counties that show strong growth potential. As these parks emerge, the county aims to attract both local and foreign investors while leveraging the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) to create jobs, boost local production, and position Nairobi as a regional manufacturing hub.