Kisumu County will host the second edition of the Business Ecosystem Summit (BES) from August 6 to 8, 2025, as part of efforts to strengthen regional cooperation and attract new investment into the Lake Region.
The summit, organised by The IMC People in collaboration with the County Government of Kisumu and the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB), is expected to bring together thousands of delegates from different countries and the region.
Participants will include government officials, private sector players, financial institutions, investment promotion agencies, and development partners.
The forum aims to link Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with global investors, improve market access and unlock financing opportunities.
Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr Mathews Owili said the upcoming summit is a reflection of growing confidence in Kisumu’s positioning as an investment and business hub in western Kenya.
He said the success of the inaugural BES in 2023, which attracted over 9,000 participants and helped facilitate deals worth over USD 400 million, laid the groundwork for subsequent investment forums in the region.
“We are ready to lead the conversation on how counties can shape Kenya’s economic future through partnerships, innovation and inclusive growth. Kisumu has shown it can convene, deliver, and scale major investment conversations,” said Dr Owili.
He pointed to recent infrastructure improvements and renewed focus on regional integration as part of the county’s broader economic agenda.
The revitalisation of Kisumu Port and investment in marine infrastructure, he said, have positioned the city as a key corridor for trade across East Africa.
He added that the county was banking on the potential of the blue economy to create jobs and attract investment in areas such as fisheries, transport, aquaculture, clean energy and eco-tourism.
“We are working with national and regional partners to re-establish Lake Victoria as a viable commercial transport route,” said Dr Owili.
IMC People Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jeannette Oromo said the 2025 summit will feature high-level policy discussions, sector-specific investment forums, matchmaking sessions, and an interactive marketplace showcasing local products and innovations.
The summit, she said, targets 250 investors who will explore projects in the private sector and public sector projects, particularly from the 14 LREB counties.
She added that over 9,000 marketplace visitors, particularly MSMEs, were expected to grace the event, with the Conference targeting up to 600 delegates.
BES 2025, she said, will build on gains made in 2023, including a USD 3 billion Memorandum of Understanding between Kenya and Afreximbank.
“BES 2025 is about strengthening the foundations of business ecosystems in Africa. We want to accelerate progress by promoting functional partnerships and actionable investment strategies,” she said.
The inaugural summit in 2023 attracted 535 official delegates, eight embassies, and 9,000 marketplace visitors. It profiled investment commitments worth USD 93 million (Sh12 billion).
Its success helped Kisumu secure the 2024 AfSNET conference, which resulted in Sh52 billion in funding for a Kisumu-based pharmaceutical firm.
This year’s event is expected to position Kisumu and the wider Lake Region as competitive investment destinations while advancing Kenya’s broader development agenda.
By Chris Mahandara and Joanne Moraa
