Kenya has a wide range of sectors with ready-to-be accessed investment opportunities, including but not limited to, Agriculture and Agribusiness, manufacturing, tourism, infrastructure development, energy, information Communications Technology and Financial Services.
If you want to invest and start up your own business, why don’t you invest in Kenya?
Kenya is the largest and the most advanced economy in East and Central Africa; with strong growth prospects supported by an emerging, urban middle class and an increasing appetite for high-value goods and services.the most advanced economy in East and Central Africa? Kenya’s GDP accounts for more than 50% of the region’s total.
Kenya is open for business to well-positioned companies with strategic objectives of tapping into the growing potential of emerging markets in East and Central Africa.
There are quite a few requirements for you to get your Investment Visa application approved.
However, if you do not qualify for the investment visa, you may still be able to open or invest in a Kenyan business by having a local business partner (sole proprietorship or partnerships).
If you have a Kenyan business partner, you might want to consider registering the business as a foreign company with your partner as the Kenyan director.
For one to invest in Kenya you have to register your company and the below documents are needed after registration of your company to help you apply for the Business Investment Visa(Permit):
- Certificate of incorporation of the company
- Memorandum of understanding
- Articles of association
- Shareholding certificate (CR 12)
- Copies of PIN certificate
NB: Business Investment Visa(Permit) should also be obtained from the County Government depending on the business type.
The following are some of the business investments we suggest:
Construction and Real Estate
Permit Class G (Investor)
Budget: $100,000
This permit is issued to a person who intends to engage, whether alone or in partnership, in a specific trade, business, consultancy or profession (other than a prescribed profession) in Kenya
- Documentary proof of capital to be invested at least USD 100,000 (The amount has to be in your bank account and you will need proof of a certified six month bank statement)
This will create employment for many local Kenyans and the main focus of this type of permit will be based on:
- Residential Villas
- Apartments Complex
- Office Complex Building
- Housing Estate
- Construction Machinery Leasing Services: Asphalt Mixers, Bulldozers, Compactors, Concrete Mixers, Concrete Pumps, Cranes, Excavators, Loaders, Concrete Saw, Concrete Truck, Concrete Vibrator, etc.
Large Commercial Farming
Permit Class D or G ( Work Permit or Investor) – You can employ yourself in your own company or invest in Kenya.
Budget: $100,000 for each business
The business will focus on the following:
- Palm oil Plantation
- Coffee Plantation
- Sugar Cane Plantation
- Cattle Ranch
- Greenhouse farming
Health and Fitness
Permit Class G (Investor)
Budget: $100,000
There are not so many well-equipped gyms around.
You should, however, have or hire someone who has the right skills to train people.
Metals/ Mining
Permit Class G (Investor)
Opening a mine and separation plant can cost from $500 million to $1 billion, depending on the location, element, ore grade, and a variety of other factors
- Register with mining cadastre portal
- Obtain account approval. language
- Apply and pay for mining permit
- Obtain notification of approval
- Obtain offer letter
- Pay permit fees
- Submit payment receipt
- Obtain mining permit
Kenya is richly endowed with a variety of mineral resources.
Kenya has four belts of minerals – the gold green stone belt in western Kenya, which extends to Tanzania; the Mozambique belt passing through central Kenya, the source of Kenya’s unique gemstones; the Rift belt, which has a variety of resources including soda ash, fluorspar and diatomite; and, the coastal belt, which has titanium.
Investment opportunities exist in:
- Mining stone for the construction and building industry,
- Phosphates for agriculture,
- Salt for domestic and chemical uses,
- Iron for the iron and steel industry,
- Kaolin for leather tanning and pharmaceuticals, and
- Silica sand and trona for glass manufacture; exploration and development of mineral deposits including oil, gold, copper, cobalt sulphide and hematite iron.
Manufacturing
Permit Class G (Investor)
Budget: $237,000-$920,000
New manufacturing business for products such as tissue paper, serviettes, steel wool, Ketchup, juices, egg trays, steel wire, chalk, slaughter lines, chemicals, textiles and more.
If you want to invest in a country with a great return, why not consider Kenya?
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By Sylvia Waiganjo
