President William Ruto has pitched Kenya as a premier investment destination for Italian capital, positioning the country as one of Africa’s most promising economic hotspots. Speaking at the Italy–Kenya Business Forum in Rome on Monday, April 20, 2026, the president assured investors that Kenya offers a fertile market for profitable growth, supported by robust, business-friendly frameworks.
The president highlighted Kenya’s strong economic standing, noting its position as Africa’s 6th largest economy. He pointed to the country’s macroeconomic stability, specifically citing an inflation rate that has settled at approximately 4% – reaching a six-month low of 4.4% earlier in 2026. This stability, coupled with a steady exchange rate, provides a predictable environment for foreign enterprises.
Green energy remains a cornerstone of the president’s pitch. He invited Italian companies to utilize Kenya’s renewable energy infrastructure to lower their carbon footprints.
“If you are looking for a destination where your investment has a reduced carbon footprint, Kenya has 93% of its footprint as renewable energy. If you are looking at decarbonizing your companies and investments, Kenya is the best place to deploy them,” he said.
President Ruto also reassured the business community of the safety and legality of their ventures. He emphasized that Kenya’s “robustly democratic” system and reliable judiciary stand ready to protect foreign assets. To further ease the cost of doing business, he noted that both nations have finalized an investment protection treaty and a double taxation avoidance agreement, effectively removing significant financial barriers for Italian firms entering the Kenyan market.
“We are a robustly democratic country. You can count on the Kenyan Judicial system to protect your investment. We have worked on the protection of investment treaty between Kenya and Italy and also on the avoidance of double taxation.”
In a direct appeal to Italian investors to expand their presence in Kenya, President Ruto pointed to the nation’s resourceful human capital as a primary engine for business sustainability. He touted the local workforce as world-class, describing Kenyans as some of the most hardworking and intelligent professionals globally, supported by one of the world’s most rigorous education systems.
“We have one of the best human capital anywhere in the world. If you want hardworking and intelligent people, you will find them in Kenya. We have one of the best education systems in the world,” he noted.
According to the president, nearly 50 major Italian business entities already operate out of Nairobi, reflecting a strong and growing commercial bond. He highlighted the recently established Med-Or Italian Foundation office in Nairobi as a critical bridge for building new synergies. Launched in February 2026, this strategic hub serves as the foundation’s first African office and acts as a gateway for Italian interests into the wider continent.
The president also noted that this partnership extends directly into the classroom and the factory floor.
“We are tapping into Italian equipment for our technical training students so that we sharpen their skills and ensure they are ready for business,” President Ruto added.
By integrating Italian technology into Kenya’s technical and vocational training, the government aims to produce a workforce that is not only highly skilled but also perfectly aligned with the operational standards of international investors.
Italian Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani warmly welcomed the strengthened partnership, expressing strong optimism that these ties will invigorate both political and commercial relations between the two countries. He noted that Italy recognizes the immense strategic value of the continent and feels a responsibility to respond to the goodwill shown by African nations.
“Africa is a fundamental continent that has proven to show great interest in Italy, and we cannot disregard this request for friendship and the attention the continent has shown to us,” Minister Tajani said.
The newly minted three-year Action Plan provides a clear roadmap for this collaboration. By aligning their interests, Kenya and Italy will focus their joint efforts on driving growth in trade, fostering breakthroughs in innovation and technology, expanding educational opportunities, and deepening their cooperation in defense and regional security.
