Kenyan officials from Homa Bay County have embarked on an ambitious mission to Egypt, seeking to attract investment into the lakeside region’s burgeoning sectors at the 12th World Urban Forum in Cairo.
Cairo,Egypt.courtesy photo
The delegation, spearheaded by Oyugis municipality leaders, aims to showcase Homa Bay’s untapped potential in agriculture, tourism, and urban development to prospective Egyptian investors.
“Our presence at the World Urban Forum represents a strategic move to position Homa Bay as an attractive investment destination,” said Walter Opiyo, Mayor of Oyugis municipality. “We are particularly focusing on our agricultural sector and tourism industry, which offer significant returns for international investors.”
The mission follows February’s successful Homa Bay International Investment Conference (HOBIIC), which highlighted the county’s commitment to economic growth and development. The conference established Homa Bay’s readiness to welcome both local and foreign investments across various sectors.
Kenya’s Ambassador to Egypt praised the initiative, noting that such county-level engagements strengthen the growing economic ties between Kenya and Egypt. “This delegation demonstrates the practical implementation of our national strategy to diversify investment partnerships,” the Ambassador stated.
Homa Bay’s strategic location along Lake Victoria positions it as a potential hub for agricultural processing and tourism development. The county boasts fertile agricultural land and pristine beaches along the lake’s shores, making it an attractive proposition for investors looking to tap into East Africa’s growing market.
The World Urban Forum, hosted by Egypt’s Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities in collaboration with UN-Habitat, provides an ideal platform for the Kenyan delegation to network with international investors and showcase specific projects requiring funding.
“We have prepared comprehensive investment portfolios detailing opportunities in agro-processing, hotel development, and infrastructure projects,” explained James Okoth, Homa Bay’s Director of Investment Promotion. “Our focus is on sustainable developments that will create employment opportunities for our youth while boosting the county’s economic growth.”
The delegation will spend the week in Cairo, conducting targeted meetings with potential investors and participating in forum sessions focused on urban development and investment in emerging markets.
Local business leaders in Homa Bay have expressed optimism about the mission. “This international outreach could be the catalyst we need to transform our region into a major investment destination,” said Sarah Auma, chairperson of the Homa Bay Chamber of Commerce.
The mission aligns with Kenya’s broader economic strategy of leveraging international partnerships and trade agreements, including recent deals with the European Union and United States, to attract foreign investment into its counties.
Success in Egypt could set a precedent for other Kenyan counties seeking to independently pursue international investment opportunities, marking a shift towards more proactive county-level economic diplomacy.
