Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has unveiled fresh incentives aimed at drawing private capital into Kenya, reaffirming the government’s commitment to positioning the country as a leading investment hub in the region.
Addressing delegates at the 9th East Africa Venture Capital Association (EAVCA) Annual Conference in Nairobi on Thursday 4 September, Mbadi said Kenya’s strategic location and policy reforms make it an ideal destination for global investors. He described the country as both “the gateway to East Africa” and a “dynamic platform for continent-wide growth, offering a stable, transparent and competitive environment where private capital can flourish.”
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The CS outlined several measures under the Nairobi International Financial Centre (NIFC), which he said were designed to provide certainty and competitiveness in the global investment landscape. These include a 15 percent corporate tax rate for carbon exchange firms, a five percent capital gains tax for companies investing at least Ksh 3 billion, preferential tax rates for startups and regional headquarters and an exemption from withholding tax on dividends for firms reinvesting at least Ksh 250 million.
“This morning, I spoke at the 9th East Africa Venture Capital Association (EAVCA) Annual Conference in Nairobi, themed ‘East Africa Rising: Balancing Risk and Impact,’ where I emphasized the pivotal role of private capital in driving East Africa’s growth,” Mbadi noted.
He stressed that private capital remains vital for financing innovation, infrastructure and job creation. For ordinary Kenyans, these investments are expected to translate into new employment opportunities, improved access to financial services and increased support for small businesses and startups.
Mbadi concluded by assuring investors that Kenya will continue to refine its investment policies to ensure predictability, transparency and long-term value, not only for foreign firms but also for the Kenyan people.
