President William Ruto says American companies have committed more than $600 million in new projects in Kenya since the previous AmCham Business Summit, as Nairobi seeks to position itself as a regional production and services hub.
Speaking at the 2026 AmCham Business Summit in Nairobi, Ruto said Kenya’s foreign direct investment had risen from approximately $1.5 billion in 2022 to $3.2 billion, describing the increase as a vote of confidence in the country’s renewable-energy base, digital economy and manufacturing potential. (The Star)
Among the American investments highlighted were Oracle’s selection of Kenya for its first public cloud region in Africa, Coca-Cola’s $175 million commitment, Mars Wrigley’s $103 million production line at Athi River and SC Johnson’s planned manufacturing plant.
Ruto said Kenya wanted investments that go beyond capital inflows to create jobs, strengthen local supply chains, transfer technology and expand exports.
The President also positioned Kenya as a gateway to larger African markets through the East African Community, COMESA and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The summit brought together more than 800 delegates from over 30 countries, with more than 500 B2B and B2G meetings and investment commitments exceeding $500 million according to AmCham. (AmCham Business Summit 2026)
The broader message from the two-day meeting was that Kenya is seeking to convert its geographic and digital advantages into a platform for production, regional trade and international investment.