Kenya Investment Guides

Kenya is the leading economy in East Africa. Its strategic location and its well developed business infrastructure make it a natural choice for investors and many international firms have made it their regional hub. Investing in Kenya now also provides access to the larger regional market of the East African Community, which was formed by its three partner states (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda) in 2000 and which has 93 million consumers. The EAC customs Union came into effect in January 2005 and the EAC is expected to form a political federation by 2013. As a member of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Kenya also gives investors access to a further 385 million consumers.

But Kenya has much more to offer than its membership of regional trading blocs. Foreign investors routinely refer to people as Kenya´s greatest asset: its workers are among the best educated and most enterprising and hard-working in Africa. The climate and soil in many parts offer ideal conditions for agriculture, as demonstrated by the success story of horticulture and, in particular, floriculture. Kenya also has significant natural assets for attracting tourism, such as the Maasai Mara and the Mombasa coast. Other investment opportunities can be found in manufacturing and infrastructure.

Kenya also offers some serious obstacles to investors. The transport infrastructure is the major obstacle, especially roads, which are in bad shape even by regional standards. Governance and security are other important issues, although the Government has adopted various measures for fighting corruption and controlling crime.

Kenya Investment Center

Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest) is a statutory body established in 2004 through an Act of Parliament (Investment Promotion Act of 2004) with the main objective of promoting investments in Kenya. It is responsible for facilitating the implementation of new investment projects, providing After Care services for existing investments, as Theyll as organizing investment promotion activities both locally and internationally. The core functions of KenInvest include; Policy Advocacy; Investment Promotion; Investment Facilitation; Investor Tracking and After Care Services. The activities are carried out through the following departments:

Investment Promotion
Target and attract investments to achieve increased economic development.

Investor Services
Ensure expeditious and quality facilitation of projects for prompt implementation and effective After Care Services.

Research, Policy Advocacy and Planning
Undertake research, review and analyse policies, and engage in policy advocacy geared towards improving the business environment and investment promotion The Department also executes planning, monitoring and evaluation implementation of Information, and Communication Technology (ICT) services.

Finance and Administration

Formulate and implement efficient financial and administrative management policies and systems.

Corporate and Legal Affairs

Uphold KenInvest’s corporate profile, ensure observance of good corporate governance and attend to legal affairs.

Corporate Values

At KenInvest They aspire to conduct all their affairs in accordance with the principles of good corporate governance. their core values are:

• Investor First: They put investors first and strive to continuously meet their expectations in a timely manner
• Staff are their key asset: They endeavour to have highly trained, committed and motivated employees

Professionalism and Integrity

They subscribe to the highest level of professionalism and integrity in a transparent and accountable manner.

• Teamwork and Participatory Management: They cherish teamwork with openness and trust
• Linkages and Networking: They seek to involve all stakeholders towards fulfilment of their Mission.

Their Services

KenInvest will strive to continuously provide quality services on a wide array of areas to investors. These include:

Pre-investment Services

• Issuance of Investment Certificate, that facilitates immediate start of a business
• Assistance in obtaining any necessary licenses and permits.
• Assisting in obtaining incentives or exemptions under the Income Tax Act, the Customs and Excise Act, the Value Added Tax Act or other legislation,
• Providing information to investors on the business climate, operating rules investment opportunities, sources of capital, etc;
• Liaison with other government agencies for the issuance of additional licenses and approvals not directly handled by the Authority.

Post – Investment Services

• Provision of After Care services.Continuous
• liaison with other stakeholders who interface with investors in their day-to-day operations with an ultimate aim of improving the investment environment and to make it easier to do business.

Head Office:
Kenya Railways Headquarters,3rd Floor, Block D
Workshops Road,off Haile Selasie Avenue
P.O. Box 55704- 00200 City Square
Nairobi, Kenya.

Tel: (254) (20) 2221401 - 4,
Mobile: (254) (722) 205424/209902
Mobile: (254) (733) 601184
Fax: (254) (20) 22243862

Email: info@investmentkenya.com
Website: http://www.investmentkenya.com