About Kenya
About Kenya
The Republic of Kenya is located in the Eastern Africa region. The population is approximately 54 million people according to UN estimates. Its capital city is Nairobi located in the South-central part of the country. Kenya is amongst large economies in Sub-Saharan Africa after Nigeria and South Africa. Kenya is the regional hub providing easy connectivity to the region. It is bordered by South Sudan to the northwest, Ethiopia to the north, Somalia to the east, Uganda to the west, Tanzania to the south, the Indian Ocean is located to the southeast. Kenya is the largest and most advanced economy in East and Central Africa. Its GDP accounts for more than 50 per cent of the region’s total and in terms of current market prices. Its economic growth prospects are supported by an emerging middle class and an increasing appetite for high-value goods and services. In the recent past its prospects have grown with improved ease of doing business index. Kenya is strategically located and a gateway to East and Central Africa with great regional and international connectivity. With its strategic location that borders the Indian Ocean, Kenya is considered as a strategic production and distribution base for Africa, Europe, the Middle East, South Asia and other Indian Ocean Islands. Kenya is a multi-ethnic, multi-racial and multi-religion country. Persons from different backgrounds peacefully co-exist working, trading and living side by side. The country is also home to very varied geographical landscape from inland lakes, snow-capped mountains, the great rift valley and sun kissed white beaches. It is in this great land that the people co-exist with diverse and rich flora and fauna. Kenya’s economy is driven by agriculture, manufacturing, the services industry and tourism.
H.E Hon. William Samoei Ruto, PhD. C.G.H., President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces.
Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, E.G.H., Prime Cabinet Secretary of the Republic of Kenya & Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs.
Dr. A. Korir SingOei, CBS, Principal Secretary State Department for Foreign Affairs
Roseline K. Njogu, CBS, Principal Secretary State Department for Diaspora Affairs
History of Diplomatic Relations between Kenya and Nigeria
Kenya and Nigeria have enjoyed cordial diplomatic relations since the two countries attained independence at different times in history. Kenya opened its diplomatic Mission in Nigeria in the year 1972. The Mission was then located in Lagos, the former capital city of Nigeria. In 2003, the Government of Kenya (GoK) moved its High Commission to Abuja, after the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) decided to relocate its administrative capital from Lagos. The Kenya High Commission remained in Maitama Area of Abuja before the GoK constructed a Chancery on land that was allocated by the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the present location of the offices.
The Kenya High Commission in Abuja, Nigeria, was officially opened on 14th July, 2013 by H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta following the completion of the Chancery Building in 2012. The offices are located in the Central Business District along Diplomatic Drive, on part of land, which was allocated by the Nigerian Government for the construction of Diplomatic Missions and Embassies by various governments.
The Activities of the Kenya High Commission in Nigeria
Kenya and Nigeria have enjoyed cordial diplomatic relations since the two countries attained independence at different times in history. Kenya opened its diplomatic Mission in Nigeria in the year 1972. The Mission was then located in Lagos, the former capital city of Nigeria. In 2003, the Government of Kenya (GoK) moved its High Commission to Abuja, after the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) decided to relocate its administrative capital from Lagos. The Kenya High Commission remained in Maitama Area of Abuja before the GoK constructed a Chancery on land that was allocated by the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the present location of the offices.
The Kenya High Commission in Abuja, Nigeria, was officially opened on 14th July, 2013 by H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta following the completion of the Chancery Building in 2012. The offices are located in the Central Business District along Diplomatic Drive, on part of land, which was allocated by the Nigerian Government for the construction of Diplomatic Missions and Embassies by various governments.
Why Invest in Kenya?
The following factors support Kenya’s attractiveness as an investment destination that favour both local and foreign investment:
Kenya is a signatory to a large and growing number of tax treaties and investment promotion and protection Agreements such as the Multilateral Trade System (MTS) ACP Cotonou Agreement, and the Africa Growth and Opportunities Act. This allows exports from Kenya to enjoy preferential access to world markets under a number of special access and duty reduction programmes. Kenya is currently discussing signing of Foreign Investment Protection Agreement with Nigeria.
Since independence, Kenya has maintained remarkable stability and has been a beacon of peace in the region. With the promulgation of a new constitution in 2010, Kenyans have enjoyed an increased degree of freedom.
Kenya is making efforts to lower the cost of doing business by conducting extensive business regulatory reforms intended to substantially reduce the number of licensing requirements and to make the licensing regimes more simple and transparent and focused on legitimate regulatory purposes.
Access to Large pool of Highly Educated and Skilled WorkForce
Kenya prides itself in its large pool of highly educated, skilled and sought after work force in Africa, trained from within the country and in institutions around the world.
As the leading economy in East Africa, Kenya’s strategic location and its well-developed business infrastructure make it a natural choice for investors and many international firms have made it their regional hub. This grants investor’s access to the East African Community and the Common Market for Eastern And Southern Africa (COMESA) regional markets with access to over 390 million consumers. Nairobi is also a major transport Hub in East Africa with Connections from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Major Destinations around the world.
Kenya affords a pleasant and quality standard of living with its spectacular and diverse natural resources. Ranging from wildlife and sceneries. Including the world famous Maasai Mara. The country also of high quality social amenities such as restaurants, hospitals and Entertainment spots. A good reason why the country has the highest number of Expatriates living and working in Kenya.
Kenya fully liberalized its economy by abolishing exchange controls, removing price controls and import licensing. The government has also freed the Kenya shilling exchange rate to be market driven. Capital Markets are open for foreign participation. There are no restrictions on remittances of profits and dividends.
As indicated earlier, Kenya is signatory to a number of multilateral and bilateral trade agreements as part of its trade policy. Kenya is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) making her products access more than 90% of world markets at Most Favored Nation (MFN) treatment. In addition, Kenya is member to several trade arrangements and beneficiary to trade enhancing schemes that include the Africa Growth and opportunity act (AGOA); ACP-EU Trade Agreement and Common Market of Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
Kenya has a very substantial private sector, including a significant number of foreign investors and is touted as one of the most resilient in the world. The country has always been a market economy. Key players in voicing private sector concerns include, The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) and The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM).
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The Kenya High Commission, Abuja, Nigeria
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