Dubai, UAE – A Kenyan county governor is set to play a prominent role at a major international conference in Dubai next month, aiming to attract significant investment to his region. Dr. Irungu Kang’ata, Governor of Murang’a County, will lead a delegation to the S.O.F.T. (Sustainability, Opportunities, and Future Technologies) Conference on July 29-30, with a focus on securing high-impact public-private partnerships.
The S.O.F.T. Conference, co-led by the Godwin Aigboviose Foundation (GAf Africa) and Eki Co-Net, and supported by the Nigerian government and the United Nations, brings together world leaders, innovators, and investors from some 50 countries. Governor Kang’ata’s central role will be in the conference’s “Deal Room,” a dedicated space for direct engagement between entrepreneurs, investors, and government officials.
Murang’a County, located in central Kenya, is looking to attract investment across several key sectors. Governor Kang’ata is expected to present a range of opportunities, including:
- Manufacturing: Plans for the Murang’a Industrial Park (a Special Economic Zone), the County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP) in Kenol, and various hubs for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
- Waste Management: Investment-ready projects at the Gikono Landfill site, focused on recycling and sustainable waste solutions.
- Health and Dairy: Proposals for a new milk-value addition plant in Maragua Town, aimed at boosting the local agricultural sector.
The Governor’s office states that by showcasing these county-owned assets and policy-backed incentives, the delegation aims to translate discussions into concrete investment agreements that will support job creation and foster sustainable regional transformation.
This move highlights a growing trend of sub-national governments actively seeking foreign direct investment to drive local economic growth, often aligning their strategies with broader global sustainability standards and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Governor Kang’ata’s agenda in Dubai includes leading bilateral sessions with global investors to discuss tailored investment frameworks for Murang’a and negotiating tangible deals. His presence is also seen as an opportunity to showcase Kenya as a model for how local administrations can contribute to national development targets and international sustainability objectives.
The S.O.F.T. Conference is billed as a “catalytic stage” for launching numerous high-impact partnerships. Observers will be watching the Murang’a delegation closely, particularly during the Deal Room sessions on July 29-30. Post-conference, announcements of initial investment agreements are anticipated in sectors such as industrial development, recycling, health, and agritech.
The outcomes of these negotiations will contribute to the S.O.F.T. Action Report, which is expected to spotlight Murang’a among global case studies of economic growth driven by innovation and strategic partnerships. For Murang’a County, the conference represents a shift from merely inviting investment to actively forging new economic alliances on the international stage.
Add Comment