Kenya eager to build infrastructure alongside Polish business

- East Africa is a region with a huge potential, characterised by high economic growth and Kenya is a gateway to business in this part of the continent. I hope that the meetings with our Kenyan partners will cause serious business commitments, which we will help to develop - head of PAIH stresses. According to the UN the pace of East Africa’s development will be the fastest on the continent and total 6.8%, whereas average African country will grow by 4% annually. Kenya – regarded as regional leader is among most attractive countries in Africa in terms of investment. Hence, Kenyan government is eager to make the country more industrialized and technologically advanced. Regarding that, in line with the “Vision 2030” plan it has been carrying out great investment projects including building highways, railways, airports, industrial parks and special economic zones.

During the mission T. Pisula met with head of Kenya Investment Authority, dr. Moses Ikiara. - We talked about the potential of Polish tech knowledge and the Poland-based construction companies’ experience which could contribute to creating “a new Kenya”, where budget spending on infrastructure investments is to be doubled. I would like to stress that no Polish construction company has registered in Kenya yet and majority of the operating here are from China. Polish sector needs to be a part of this picture - Pisula says. He adds that Kenya needs partners to build apartments, roads made with asphalt, water infrastructure, and, interestingly, hospitals in each of 47 counties. - We have high hopes for the Polish-Kenyan cooperation, however, the first step has to be made by Polish companies. We will help every one of them to enter the market - Michael Mazurewicz, head of Nairobi-based PAIH trade office, states.

One of the investments which could draw Polish construction companies’ attention is “Ndarugu Metropolis” – the project of building an industrial park dedicated to small and medium enterprises and located near Nairobi. It includes giving Kenyan companies access to technology and machines useful for upgrading the country’s farming methods. Poland’s companies could be among the international partners involved in the project.

The mission took place between 13th and 15th of December 2017.