Kenya has successfully hosted the 2025 World Chambers Federation (WCF) Africa Summit, drawing over 4,500 delegates from more than 70 countries to the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi.
The high-level event, organized in partnership with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), Absa Bank Kenya, and the WCF, focused on unlocking Africa’s trade, investment, and development potential.
President William Ruto officially opened the summit, emphasizing Kenya’s role as a strategic gateway for investment into Africa. “This summit unites global business communities and offers them a platform to explore the vast opportunities in Kenya and across the continent,” said Ruto. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the ease of doing business and creating an investor-friendly environment.
Held under the theme “Africa’s Global Future: Integrated, Innovative and Sustainable,” the summit served as a springboard for strengthening economic partnerships, shaping policies, and deepening Africa’s integration into the global economy. Key highlights included business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking sessions, investment forums, policy dialogues, and masterclasses on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
President Ruto urged stakeholders to capitalize on regional integration frameworks such as the AfCFTA, the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA), and the East African Community (EAC) to boost intra-African trade and investment.
A strong emphasis was placed on critical growth sectors such as technology, manufacturing, and agriculture, recognized for their capacity to drive sustainable development and create jobs—especially for Africa’s youth.
The opening day alone witnessed participation from 545 confirmed delegates representing more than 60 nations, reflecting growing international confidence in Africa’s economic prospects.
Speaking on the state of Kenya’s economy, President Ruto noted the country’s resilience amid global challenges, highlighting a projected growth rate of 5.4% in 2025 as forecasted by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK). He credited this growth to key sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and an expanding credit market. Ruto also underlined the importance of supporting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which account for over 80% of Kenya’s employment base.
The summit wrapped up on Friday, April 11, solidifying Kenya’s role as a hub for continental dialogue on economic transformation and sustainable development.
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