By Eddah Waithaka
The Kenya-Japan Business Forum 2025 was officially inaugurated in Nairobi by Japan’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Fujii Hisayuki, and acting Investments Cabinet Secretary, Salim Mvurya. This forum reflects a similar event that took place in Tokyo, Japan, in February 2024, which saw participation from over 140 Japanese companies and around 40 Kenyan private sector firms.
The forum underscored the potential for collaboration between the two nations, emphasizing Kenya’s wide-ranging investment opportunities alongside Japan’s advanced industry expertise. This exchange of knowledge, insights, and innovative ideas is aimed at attracting investors.
This year’s event gathers more than 100 Kenyan companies and 30 Japanese firms from various sectors, including ICT, health, manufacturing, shipping and logistics, financial services, energy, construction, insurance, and agriculture.
During the inauguration of the forum in Nairobi on Thursday, Acting Cabinet Secretary for Investment, Trade, and Industry, Salim Mvurya, acknowledged the significant and friendly relationship that has developed between Kenya and Japan, noting that Japan has been Kenya’s leading partner in development cooperation.
He also highlighted that Kenya plays an essential role as an exporter of agricultural goods to Japan, with products like cut flowers and titanium ores contributing to a trade value of $62.9 million, according to the latest statistics.
Read More On: https://africawatchnews.co.ke/african-pastrol-markets-development-platform-set-to-transform-africas-pastoral-markets/
Additionally, the Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency made significant contributions to the forum’s panel discussions. KEPROBA’s Resource Mobilization Director, Ms. Fatma Bashir, participated in a session titled “Leveraging Osaka Expo 2025 to Enhance Bilateral Trade between Kenya and Japan.” Meanwhile, David Yamina, the Manager of Product Market Development Directorate, guided the Kenyan and Japanese business delegates through a Business Networking Session, which featured a lavish buffet service provided by the Serena Hotel.
In his closing remarks, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Investments Promotion, Mr. Abubakar Hassan, expressed gratitude to the event organizers and shared his positive outlook on the potential for fruitful business deals, innovative ideas, and opportunities that could lead to increased investments between Kenya and Japan.
