Why increased UK investment means more jobs

Increased private sector investment into Kenya, will make a real difference. FILE PHOTO | NMG  By JANE MARRIOTT

On Monday, 20th January, the UK Government will host the first UK-Africa Investment Summit. Leaders from Government and business will join
innovators, entrepreneurs and investors in London, to discuss investment opportunities and future partnerships in Africa. 16 African leaders, from the continent’s biggest economies, including Kenya, are expected to attend.

Increased private sector investment into Kenya, will make a real difference; increased investment means more jobs and opportunities for Kenyans. An estimated one million Kenyans are entering the workforce every year. During my first few months here, I have had the privilege of meeting with young Kenyans from across the country.

These ambitious young people – the face of the next generation – speak to me about their hopes for the future of their country. More jobs are integral to them achieving their goals.

Over 200 British businesses are already operating here. Those businesses are creating quality jobs; an estimated one in ten Kenyans employed in the formal sector works for a British company. They are also developing Kenyan talent, matching strong performance with new opportunities.

Through their social impact policies, British companies are giving back to their communities, supporting teacher training, providing wholesome school meals, nurse training and water provision. British firms are also working hard to minimise their impact on the environment. EABL has invested Sh22 billion to move to renewable energy at their brewery in Kisumu, and Unilever are now producing 70 percent of the power they use on site at their tea plantation in Kericho, through a combination of solar and hydropower. 

I am committed to supporting the flow of more high-quality British investment into Kenya. More British businesses are setting up here every year, and next week’s summit will help that number grow, showcasing opportunities in Kenya to an even wider audience.

But the summit isn’t just about showcasing Kenya and encouraging more British businesses to invest in Africa.

It is also an opportunity to build partnerships and generate more private-sector investment into Kenyan companies, at various stages of growth. The UK has a huge amount to offer ambitious African firms and we have a strong reputation for quality, integrity and reliability.

Home to the world’s major investors, regulators, innovators and multinational businesses, the City of London is the global financial gateway for investment and expertise. Greater engagement and investment from the City could be transformative; the summit will connect businesses and investors, building future partnerships.

Realising the ambition behind the summit – an enhanced investment relationship between the UK and African nations – also requires commitment and action on the part of Governments.

The UK Government is working in partnership with Kenya to create the right business environment for increased investment, including in support of the Big 4 agenda.

Our Trademark East Africa programme has supported the development of more efficient and higher quality roads and ports, making it easier to move goods around the region.

The writer is British High Commissioner to Kenya.