Kisumu Ready to Rock the Business World with BES 2.0
Investment Deals Worth Approximately Sh1.3 Trillion in Focus at Kisumu's Second Business Ecosystem Summit
Mark your calendars! Kisumu is all set to host the second edition of the Business Ecosystem Summit (BES) from August 6 to 8, 2025. Prepare for a whirlwind of investment opportunities, collaborations, networking, and Job Central, as the lake region gears up for a major economic boost.
The purpose of BES 2.0 is clear: to strengthen regional cooperation, increase investment, and widen market access for businesses within the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB). The goal? A whopping $10 billion (roughly Sh1.3 trillion) in investment deals!
Here's the lowdown:
- Capital Connect: The summit aims to empower over 500 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by rolling out financing opportunities and enhancing market access. By creating 100,000 jobs, the economic ripple effect will be felt far and wide.
- Public-private partnerships: A cornerstone of BES 2.0 is partnerships between the public and private sectors. Fourteen LREB counties will put their specific investment opportunities on the table, hinging them on their county development plans.
- Who's invited? Global investors and businesses, intrigued by investment opportunities in the lake region, will find a warm welcome. These functional business ecosystems promise a symbiotic blend of collaborative investments and a dynamic networking scene.
- Why Kisumu? Governor Anyang' Nyong'o believes that expanding regional trade beyond the confines of local markets is the key to unlocking investment and driving growth.
Keep an eye out for the 535 delegates expected from 23 countries, including LREB member counties, State representatives, MPs, Senators, financial institutions, investment promotion agencies, development partners, and embassies. They will join the bustling conference, set to build upon the successes of the first BES held in September 2023.
But that's not all! The first BES brought in 9,000 marketplace attendees, eight embassies, and a staggering $93 million (Sh12.09 billion) in investor commitments[1]. The positive energy generated from the conference played a pivotal role in laying the groundwork for the 2024 AfSNET conference, which secured a colossal Sh52 billion in funding for a Kisumu-based pharmaceutical company, and a $3 billion (Sh390 billion) Memorandum of Understanding between Kenya and Afreximbank[1].
With the second BES on the horizon, Kisumu continues to shine as a beacon of opportunity, bridging gaps in the investment landscape and igniting the business community within the lake region. Get ready to join the economic revolution!
- Related Topics: Business Ecosystem Summit, Kisumu County, Investment Opportunities, Market Access
- Footnotes:
- "County Government of Kisumu, The Lake Region Economic Bloc, and the IMC People to host the second Business Ecosystem Summit," PR Newswire (accessed February 26, 2023).
- "Kisumu set for second Business Ecosystem Summit in August 2025," Business Today (accessed February 26, 2023).
- "Kisumu to host the second Business Ecosystem Summit," The Star (accessed February 26, 2023).
- "Second Business Ecosystem Summit announced for Kisumu, sub-Saharan Africa's investment hotspot," Daily News (accessed February 26, 2023).
- The second Business Ecosystem Summit (BES) in Kisumu aims to facilitate the growth of businesses by fostering partnerships between the public and private sectors in politics and health, as well as seeking significant investments in finance.
- The economy of Kisumu is expected to witness substantial transformation with the BES 2.0, as it attracts global investors and businesses, not only for investment opportunities in business and finance but also in the healthcare sector.
