By Magdalene Wanja - Reporter
Kenya, 21 April 2026 - Invest Kenya participated in the Italy–Kenya Economic Forum in Rome on Monday, where Kenya engaged Italian investors and institutions to advance strategic partnerships across priority sectors of the economy, where more than 220 Italian companies gathered to explore opportunities across Kenya’s priority sectors.
The high-level forum built on momentum from last month’s Kenya International Investment Conference (KIICO) 2026, which attracted over 70 Italian investors, and underscored Kenya’s growing appeal as a hub for sustainable investment and industrial growth.
The Rome engagements featured structured dialogues between businesses and governments, with Kenya presenting a pipeline of bankable projects designed to accelerate capital flows and foster long-term collaboration.
Anchored by the Mattei Plan for Africa and the Kenya–EU Economic Partnership Agreement, the forum reinforced Kenya’s position as a gateway to East and Central Africa, offering investors access to joint ventures, technology transfer, and value-added manufacturing.
Italy remains a vital partner in Kenya’s investment agenda. Already the 16th largest source of foreign direct investment into the country, Italy has nearly 50 companies operating in sectors ranging from food and beverage to energy and automotive.
At the forum, Invest Kenya CEO John Mwendwa highlighted Kenya’s strategic location, improving business environment, and expanding pipeline of investment-ready opportunities aligned to industrialization and export-led growth.
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On the sidelines, Invest Kenya held strategic talks with Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), Italy’s development finance institution, to explore mechanisms for mobilizing capital and connecting Italian investors with Kenyan opportunities.
Among the sectors showcased, Kenya’s leather industry stood out as a compelling example of industrial potential. Currently valued at $80 million (KSh 10 billion),the sector is projected to grow more than tenfold to $850 million (KSh 115 billion) by 2040.
With one of the world’s largest livestock herds, Kenya is prioritizing a shift from exporting raw hides to producing finished leather goods, targeting over 40 million pairs of shoes annually.
Italy, a global leader in leather craftsmanship, presents a natural partner for collaboration across the value chain, from tanneries and footwear manufacturing to chemical processing and skills development.
“Kenya is focused on building strong, long-term partnerships that unlock value across priority sectors of our economy,” said Mwendwa.
“The Italy–Kenya Economic Forum connects investors with real opportunities on the ground. Sectors such as leather demonstrate the scale of opportunity available, from raw material to finished product, and the potential to deliver both commercial returns and meaningful economic impact," he added.