Fostering International Investment: President Ruto’s Delegation Heads to the US
Kenya’s President, William Ruto, is set to lead a high-profile delegation to the United States for the second US-Kenya Business Roadshow. The delegation, which includes the US Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, is focused on attracting venture capital (VC) investment into Kenya’s burgeoning tech industry. This week-long event will span across Chicago and San Francisco.
Exploring Agricultural Opportunities: The Chicago Leg of the Roadshow
In Chicago, the primary focus of the roadshow is to explore potential agricultural opportunities between Kenya and the United States. It also serves as a platform for Venture Capital and Private Equity Firms to identify promising investment prospects within Kenya.
Tech Industry Investment: President Ruto Heads to Silicon Valley
Later in the week, President Ruto will head to San Francisco, renowned as Silicon Valley, to present investment opportunities in Kenya’s tech sector to over 200 keen investors. Accompanying the President will be a delegation of tech companies from Kenya.
A Vision for Collaboration: President Ruto’s Ambitions
President Ruto expressed his aspirations for the roadshow, stating, “We aim to combine the opportunities in Silicon Valley with those in Silicon Savanna, right here in Kenya. We believe there’s a lot we can learn from Silicon Valley, just as we have much to offer them, especially in the opportunities that exist not only in Kenya but also across the African continent.” This statement was made during the Kauffman Fellows Africa VC summit in Nairobi, an event that brings together more than 300 top venture capitalists worldwide, representing over $1 trillion in assets under management. The Kenyan Wall Street serves as the official media partner for this prestigious summit.
Building on Success: The Impact of the First Roadshow
This second US-Kenya Business Roadshow follows the success of the inaugural event held in New York City on April 25th. During the first roadshow, Ambassador Whitman announced six new co-investments totaling $55 million between Kenyan and American apparel companies, showcasing the potential for fruitful collaborations between the two nations.