Kenya is seeking to turn its diplomatic engagements at the 81st United Nations General Assembly into concrete investment and industrialisation opportunities, with about $750 million in investment opportunities linked to a new UNIDO programme and talks on an East African refinery among the key outcomes.
President William Ruto’s engagements during the UNGA High-Level Week also focused on attracting development finance, strengthening Nairobi’s position as a regional financial hub and moving Kenya away from raw-material exports towards manufacturing and value addition.
According to a statement issued by the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs on Friday, Kenya and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) signed a Country Partnership Programme for 2026–2030, with approximately $750 million in associated investment opportunitiesThe programme covers industrial investment, technology transfer, manufacturing, enterprise development and jobs.Ruto also held discussions with businessman Aliko Dangote and African Finance Corporation (AFC) President Samaila Zubairu on a proposed East African refinery in Kenya and the establishment of an AFC regional office in Nairobi.
The government said the AFC discussions support its ambition to strengthen Nairobi’s role as a regional financial, investment, development-finance and diplomatic hub.The engagements formed part of Kenya’s broader economic diplomacy at the UNGA, where the government sought to link foreign policy with investment, industrialisation, technology, climate action and employment.
Kenya also used the General Assembly to push for reforms to the global financial architecture, including access to long-term, affordable and local-currency financing for developing countries.
The government said the cost of capital remains a major challenge for developing countries seeking to finance productive investment in infrastructure, education, health, energy and industrialisation.
