By Emmanuel Omurunga 
Nyanza International Investment Conference Begins
The event has gathered over 600 delegates and dignitaries from various sectors.
Key stakeholders, including cabinet secretaries, county governors, CEOs, investors, scholars, and the Nyanza Diaspora, have convened to discuss investment opportunities and sustainable development strategies. Eliud Owalo, Deputy Chief of Staff and co-patron of the event, remarked that the conference idea originated in 2023 when Nyanza professionals expressed concerns about the region’s underdevelopment.
The Nyanza International Investment Conference (NIIC) is currently taking place in Kisumu, engaging more than 600 delegates and dignitaries to explore the region’s economic future.
Spanning three days, the event began on Thursday and is scheduled to conclude on Saturday, under the theme “Nyanza Rising: Towards Economic Transformation for Socio-Economic Growth and Development. “
In his opening remarks, Cabinet Secretary for Education Julius Migos Ogamba emphasized that the conference represents a convergence of ideas, aspirations, and a commitment to act. He called for collective action to seize the opportunity to unlock the region’s untapped potential.
Ogamba highlighted Nyanza’s rich cultural heritage and the crucial role education plays in shaping the region’s and Kenya’s future. He acknowledged the region’s academic success, stating that Nyanza has one of the highest literacy rates in Kenya, especially in Kisumu and Kisii counties. However, he stressed the need to address socio-economic challenges, including the region’s limited contribution to Kenya’s GDP, which is only 10%, and its minimal involvement in the manufacturing sector.
Ogamba urged participants to collaborate, emphasizing that the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) holds significant potential for driving industrial growth and investment in agriculture, renewable energy, tourism, and technology.
He underlined the necessity of modernizing infrastructure, particularly roads and ports, to unlock trade opportunities and bolster Nyanza’s economic growth. “These investments will help bridge the gaps that currently hinder our full contribution to national industrialization and economic growth. “
Eliud Owalo reiterated that the conference concept emerged in 2023 in response to concerns from Nyanza professionals regarding the region’s underdevelopment.
Education CS Julius Ogamba delivers his address at the Nyanza International Investment Conference in Kisumu on February 6, 2025.
He stated that beyond the conference, the overarching goal is to establish and operate fish processing plants to enhance Nyanza’s economic growth.
“We aim to collaborate with the private sector to set up and run fish processing factories as a significant step in the fish value chain,” he remarked.
“There is a plan to create 13 fish processing plants, primarily located along Lake Victoria. ”
Dennis Volemi, KCB Group Director of Technology, affirmed the bank’s dedication to fostering the region’s transformation.
“We support this forum to empower leadership and professionals in the area and to promote Nyanza’s development,” Volemi said.
He highlighted that KCB is prepared to offer various financial products to assist investors in the region, driving economic growth and supporting initiatives that further progress Nyanza’s development.
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