The Business Ecosystem Summit (BES) is set to return to Kisumu on 6-8 August 2025 with the aim of enhancing regional cooperation, exposing investment opportunities, and improving market accessibility for business.
The summit seeks to catalysing at least USD 10 billion (Ksh1.3 trillion) in investment deals by connecting global investors with businesses within the lake region, and empowering more than 500 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises with financing and market access with the overall goal of creating 100,000 jobs.
Organised by The IMC People and hosted by the County Government of Kisumu in partnership with the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB), the second edition is set to build on the successes of the first, which brought together governors and deputy governors from the LREB and was graced by then Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Economic Planning, Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u.
“We are at a point where expansion of regional trade is crucial. Businesses, and governments alike, need to look beyond the delimitations of local markets and strengthen their ties with others within the region to unlock investment and drive growth,” Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o, said.
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Public-private collaboration will take centre-stage at this year’s BES with LREB member counties set to present investment opportunities that are directly tied to county developments. Private sector players will also be able to present investment cases for potential investors from across the country and region.
Ms Jeanette Oromo, CEO of The IMC People, a leading communications firm and organisers of the Business Ecosystems Summit, said: “Last time, we had positive participation from county governments, embassies and high commissions, SMEs, local and foreign investors, and even the general public within Kisumu. We aim to grow this impact and leave a lasting effect on the business landscape that will trickle down to the whole country and region.”
Victor Nyan’gaya, CEO of the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB), a body that unites 14 counties across Kenya’s heartland, underscored the importance of the summit especially ahead of the Devolution Conference to be held in August in Homa Bay.
“We see this as an opportunity to further develop LREB member counties and present a roadmap that other counties in Kenya and beyond can follow. Unlocking investment, especially in projects that are geared to have positive impact on the development agendas of county governments, is key to moving our country forward,” said Mr. Nyan’gaya.
The second BES is expected to bring together more than 500 delegates from 23 countries including LREB member counties, national government representatives, MPs, Senators, financial institutions, investment promotion agencies, development partners, and embassies.
The first BES held in 2023 attracted 535 delegates, 9,000 marketplace attendees, 8 Embassies and profiled USD 93 million in investor commitments. Additionally, the successes of the conference laid the groundwork for the 2024 AfSNET conference which facilitated USD 400 million in funding for a Kisumu-based pharmaceutical company, and USD 3 billion MoU between the Government of Kenya and Afreximbank for the Dongo Kundu Integrated Industrial Park and Naivasha Special Economic Zone II.
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