Kenyans have been called upon to utilize trade and investment opportunities to ensure the country’s economic prosperity.
Speaking on Saturday, March 28, 2026, Equity Group Managing Director and CEO Dr. James Mwangi stressed that Kenyans should take the initiative in investing domestically to ensure that profits remain within the national economy.
“I’m encouraged that foreign investors continue to view Kenya as a robust and appealing destination. Their trust in our economy is valuable. However, the truth is that long-term returns from those investments ultimately go back to their home nations. This can strain our foreign exchange reserves because annually, when dividends are declared, we must obtain foreign currency to facilitate those payments. That is why it is imperative for us as Kenyans to advance and become the principal stakeholders of investments in our own nation. There is no alternative,” he stated.
He made these remarks during the opening of the 19th Ambassadors Conference in Nairobi.
Dr. Mwangi pointed out that infrastructure alone cannot fuel economic expansion. He also called on Kenyans to save, emphasizing that substantial domestic savings are vital for national advancement.
He referenced collaborations with Trade Connect and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat as programs intended to foster trade, provide funding, and eliminate obstacles for Kenyan entrepreneurs.
He also elaborated that ambassadors play a pivotal role in linking financial institutions and investors to opportunities within the country.
“Our foreign missions are essential in advancing exports and drawing investment. If we collaborate with our diplomats and provide them with appropriate resources, the outcomes will manifest in foreign currency inflows, employment generation, and wealth creation for Kenyans,” he explained.
President William Ruto, who inaugurated the conference, directed Kenya’s ambassadors and high commissioners to establish the nation as a trustworthy investment hub, discover new markets, and reinforce strategic alliances.
“Our foreign policy must benefit Kenya in concrete terms, opening markets for our businesses, attracting superior investment, and augmenting our global standing,” he said.
The emphasis on economic diplomacy comes after Kenya’s recent introduction of two digital trade platforms, BiasharaLink and Deal House, designed to transform African embassies into dynamic centers for cross-border commerce under AfCFTA.
The platforms were revealed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, alongside the 39th African Union Summit, where Heads of State underlined implementation-focused measures to unleash the complete potential of the continental free trade agreement.
Developed by Real Sources Africa, a pan-African trade infrastructure organization, the platforms aim to bridge Africa’s “trade execution gap,” resolving the disconnection between trade inquiries and finalized transactions.
African embassies collectively receive over 3,500 trade inquiries monthly, yet less than one percent convert into completed deals.
BiasharaLink enables missions, exporters, investors, and market participants to capture, organize, and monitor trade and investment opportunities aligned with AfCFTA priorities.
Deal House functions as the execution mechanism, verifying opportunities, pairing them with reliable partners, connecting them to funding, and facilitating contract finalization.
The endeavor represents a transition from policy vision to practical deal-making, highlighting results-driven economic diplomacy.
It also focuses on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and women-led businesses, offering structured access to financing and cross-border trade opportunities.