Meru County is positioning itself as a major investment hub, as it prepares to hold the Meru International Investment Conference, which seeks to connect investors with viable investment opportunities across the county.
The Conference, scheduled for December 3rd, 2026, is being organised through a strategic partnership between the Meru County Government, Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST), and the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI).
Speaking during the pre-conference briefing, Meru County Executive Committee Member (CEC) for Trade, Reverend Carol Kaberia, said the county was ready to move into a new phase of investment by transforming the conference from a networking event into a platform for actual investments.
Rev. Kaberia said the Conference would showcase opportunities in manufacturing and industrial development, tourism and hospitality, trade and logistics, ICT and the digital economy, the green and climate-smart economy, financial services, agriculture and agro-processing, among other sectors.
He identified the County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP) as one of the county’s flagship investment opportunities, particularly in value addition, aggregation, and agro-processing.
“We want investors to see Meru as a center for agro-processing and value addition. We are determined to shift from producing and selling raw agricultural products to processing them locally,” the CEC said, adding the transformation would help farmers obtain better returns from their produce while reducing post-harvest losses.
He added that government agencies would be available at the CAIP to assist investors with requirements such as certification and other regulatory processes.
“The Conference is, therefore, not an end in itself, but a platform for action. I urge the business community, development partners, and financial institutions to partner with the county in driving investment,” said Reverend Kaberia.
Meanwhile, KNCCI Meru Chapter Chairman Kirimi Mungania said the partnership was aimed at opening up Meru to both local and international investors.
Mungania described Meru as a “sleeping giant” with enormous agricultural potential; however, farmers continued to earn less because most of their produce was sold in raw form.
“We are a giant that is sleeping, producing a lot of food, but farmers are not benefiting because of lack of value addition,” he explained.
He said it was unfortunate that farmers continued to sell commodities such as potatoes in bags instead of processing them into finished products that would fetch higher returns.
Mungania said the conference would bring together investors, financial institutions, government agencies, businesses, and farmers to explore opportunities available in the county.
He urged local businesspeople to embrace modern ways of doing business and take advantage of the opportunities presented by the conference.
The Chairman said the organizers would also hold a trade fair to expose local businesses and farmers to new technologies, markets, and investment opportunities.
“Every farmer in Meru should be a millionaire. The chamber wants investors to see what the county is producing and identify areas where they could invest,” said Mr. Mungania.
He said the Conference would also seek to create opportunities for young people while encouraging banks and serious investors to partner with local enterprises.
Kamencu Ithai of MUST, who is also the Chairperson of the Conference Organizing Committee, said the event was a result of strategic collaboration between the three institutions.
Ithai said the conference would showcase local businesses, innovations from the university, and tourist attractions within Meru County.
He noted that despite Meru’s strategic location at the center of Kenya and its borders with seven counties, many people were still unaware of the investment and tourism opportunities available in the region.
“We are out to showcase our local products and services. The conference will also seek to link innovations developed by the university with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), creating opportunities for commercialization and economic growth.
He said Meru had great potential that had remained largely untapped, adding that the international investment conference would help shine a spotlight on the county and attract investors who could contribute to its economic transformation.
By Dickson Mwiti
