KenInvest
KenInvest (Kenya Investment Authority) is a Government of Kenya statutory body that promotes, facilitates, and provides aftercare for foreign and domestic investment across 13+ sectors, operating the Digital One-Stop-Center, eProcedures portal, and Invest Kenya Chatbot as free services to global investors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersNairobi, Kenya
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What KenInvest does
KenInvest, operating under the legal name Kenya Investment Authority and the brand InvestKenya, is a statutory body of the Government of Kenya functioning as the country's official investment promotion agency. Headquartered in Nairobi under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, it is responsible for attracting foreign direct investment, facilitating market entry for both domestic and international investors, providing aftercare support to existing investors, and advocating for improvements in Kenya's business climate. The organization serves a global investor base across 13+ sector verticals, including agriculture, manufacturing, blue economy, tourism, ICT, mining, and the creative economy.
Its core service platform is built around three digital products: the Digital One-Stop-Center, a consolidated web portal that provides investors access to permits, licenses, and registrations through a single interface; the eProcedures portal, which digitizes administrative workflows for regulatory compliance; and the Invest Kenya Chatbot, a virtual assistant trained on Kenya's investment landscape that delivers on-demand information to prospective investors. The technical architecture combines these self-service digital channels with direct enterprise engagement through consultations and aftercare services, targeting both top-of-funnel awareness (website, social media, PR) and mid-funnel conversion (newsletter, events).
As a government agency, KenInvest does not charge fees for its services. Its operating model is grant-funded through public appropriations, with no commercial revenue stream and no ownership by private investors. Strategic positioning is anchored on Kenya's regulatory and geographic advantages — including its ranking as 1st in manufacturing competitiveness within the East African Community and access to the EAC, COMESA, and AfCFTA trade blocs representing a combined market of over 600 million people. Recent strategic priorities include digitization of investor services, bilateral partnerships with peer agencies (Kazakh Invest), and deepening aftercare relationships with major investors (Jumia).
KenInvest firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- KenInvest
- Legal name
- Kenya Investment Authority
- Website
- https://invest.go.ke
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- KenInvest (Kenya Investment Authority) is a Government of Kenya statutory body that promotes, facilitates, and provides aftercare for foreign and domestic investment across 13+ sectors, operating the Digital One-Stop-Center, eProcedures portal, and Invest Kenya Chatbot as free services to global investors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
KenInvest industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Investment Promotion Services
- NAICS
- Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Private Banking & UHNW Wealth Advisory (FSAEABAC)
Keywords
Where KenInvest is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nairobi
- HQ country
- Kenya
- HQ region
- Africa
Markets served
KenInvest business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
KenInvest product offering
Product offeringCore offering
KenInvest (Kenya Investment Authority) is a government investment promotion agency that provides free investor facilitation services, market entry guidance, and post-investment aftercare to foreign and domestic investors. Its core offerings include the Digital One-Stop-Center (a unified web portal for permits, licenses, and registrations), eProcedures (an electronic platform for streamlined regulatory processes), and the Invest Kenya Chatbot for investor inquiries.
Product overview
KenInvest (Kenya Investment Authority) operates as a unified investment promotion platform offering multiple interconnected services. The core offerings include the Digital One-Stop-Center (a web-based portal for accessing investment services), eProcedures (an e-government platform for streamlined administrative processes), and an AI-powered chatbot for investor inquiries. These services work together to facilitate investment attraction, investor facilitation, and aftercare support across Kenya's economy.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Digital One-Stop-Center A digital portal that consolidates all investment-related services, enabling investors to access permits, licenses, and registrations through a single platform.
- eProcedures An electronic procedures platform that digitizes and streamlines administrative processes for investors, providing transparent step-by-step guidance.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 1 million jobs sustained through tourism sector alone, with 2+ million international tourists in 2024
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use KenInvest
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
KenInvest technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
KenInvest partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- JumiacoreInvest Kenya deepens partnership with Jumia, the e-commerce giant, as part of ongoing investor aftercare efforts. The partnership reaffirms Invest Kenya's commitment to supporting existing investors and exploring opportunities for e-commerce expansion in Kenya.
- Kazakh InvestcoreInvest Kenya and Kazakh Invest signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen bilateral investment cooperation. The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration between the two investment promotion agencies in advancing investment attraction, investor facilitation, and business climate improvement.
- KijenziminorKijenzi is excited to unleash the next generation of digital manufacturing in Kenya, contributing to the country's innovation engine and enabling a more resilient industry across the country and region. Manufacturing is described as the heartbeat of a growing GDP.
- CCI KenyaminorCCI Kenya describes Kenya as the place to build a business that is future-ready, scalable, and socially impactful, highlighting the country's dynamic business environment.
- ROAM ElectricminorROAM Electric's Strategy and Innovation Lead notes that working closely with the Government of Kenya has been instrumental in their journey, significantly accelerating growth and enabling substantial market impact through Kenya's dynamic innovation ecosystem.
- United AryanminorUnited Aryan's CEO highlights Kenya as a leading investment destination in Africa, recommending that investors act early, think long-term, and focus on value creation.
- AlpharamaminorAlpharama is a Kenyan leather company that has grown to USD 8.5M, employing over 600 Kenyans. The company supplies local brands like Bata, Umoja, Equator, and Sandstorm while exporting premium leather to global markets.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
KenInvest competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic): Larger and broader government body combining trade policy, industrial policy and investment promotion for Africa's most diversified economy. Overlaps with KenInvest's mandate but at significantly greater scale and scope.
- Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB): Global benchmark for government-led investment promotion with a One-Stop Center model and sector-specific promotion across manufacturing, services and digital. Aspirational comparable rather than direct regional competitor.
- UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT): UK government department responsible for investment promotion globally, offering a comparable One-Stop investor support model. Mature, broader-scope counterpart to KenInvest.
Others
- Invest Africa: Private-sector membership platform connecting institutional investors with opportunities across Africa, offering research, events and deal facilitation. Adjacent/complementary to KenInvest's mandate but operating on a commercial model.
- FDI Intelligence (Financial Times): Specialist data, research and advisory provider tracking cross-border investment flows and benchmarking IPA performance globally. Thematically related as an intelligence layer serving the same investor audience as KenInvest.
Direct peers
- Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC): Ghana's national IPA with a One-Stop Investment Desk and sector-specific promotion across West Africa. Comparable in service design and statutory mandate, competing for pan-African FDI.
- Rwanda Development Board (RDB): Rwanda's national investment promotion agency operating a similarly broad One-Stop-Center model to attract FDI, facilitate business registration and offer aftercare. Direct competitor for the same East African FDI pool.
- Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC): Ethiopia's national investment promotion body, recently opened to foreign investors in sectors previously reserved for locals. Competes with KenInvest for manufacturing and agriculture FDI in East Africa.
- Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC): Tanzania's statutory single-point facilitator for investment, providing licenses, incentives and aftercare services across priority sectors. Comparable in mandate, regional scope and government-backed delivery model.
- Uganda Investment Authority (UIA): Uganda's statutory agency for investment promotion, licensing and aftercare under the Office of the President. Closest geographic and structural peer within the East African Community.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
KenInvest social profiles
Digital presenceKenInvest financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
KenInvest leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
KenInvest funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
KenInvest M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about KenInvest
What does KenInvest do?
KenInvest (Kenya Investment Authority) is a government investment promotion agency that provides free investor facilitation services, market entry guidance, and post-investment aftercare to foreign and domestic investors. Its core offerings include the Digital One-Stop-Center (a unified web portal for permits, licenses, and registrations), eProcedures (an electronic platform for streamlined regulatory processes), and the Invest Kenya Chatbot for investor inquiries.
Is KenInvest a public or private company?
KenInvest is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was KenInvest founded?
KenInvest was founded in 1986. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is KenInvest based?
KenInvest is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, in the Africa region.
Who are KenInvest's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT). Others are Invest Africa and FDI Intelligence (Financial Times). Direct peers are Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC), Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) and Uganda Investment Authority (UIA).
Does KenInvest have an API?
No public API is recorded for KenInvest.
What industry is KenInvest in?
KenInvest's product category is Investment Promotion Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAEABAC, Private Banking & UHNW Wealth Advisory. Its NAICS code is 523940 and its SIC code is 6282.