Africa-Press – Kenya. India has signaled renewed commitment to deepening economic ties with Kenya through increased investments, following a high-level visit to the Coast region by senior diplomats from New Delhi.
A delegation led by Dr Adarsh Swaika, High Commissioner of India to Kenya, and Rama Kant Kumar, Assistant High Commissioner, toured key industrial and economic hubs in Mombasa and Kilifi counties to explore areas of collaboration and investment.
The team visited the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Mombasa and the Vipingo Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Kilifi as part of efforts to assess opportunities in manufacturing, logistics and export-oriented industries.
“Both zones offer good opportunities for Indian investments in manufacturing, logistics and value-added exports,” Swaika highlighted.
The High Commissioner noted that Indian-origin Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP) is involved in the development of both projects, playing a role in advancing Kenya’s industrialisation agenda and job creation efforts.
During their visit to Kilifi County, the delegation toured the Revital Healthcare manufacturing facility, a major Indian-origin medical devices producer operating in Kenya.
The plant manufactures critical medical devices and disposables for both the local and global markets.
The facility is considered state-of-the-art, with approximately 90 per cent of its machinery and a significant portion of its raw materials sourced from India, underscoring the growing industrial linkage between the two countries.
Beyond site visits, the High Commission of India, in collaboration with the India Kenya Business Council, hosted an expert session focusing on investment opportunities in Gujarat International Financial Tec-City (GIFT City), India’s first operational smart city and international financial services hub.
Pradeep Ramakrishnan, Executive Director at the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), India’s unified regulator for international financial services, outlined prospects for diaspora investors.
He highlighted opportunities including global fund structures, insurance solutions, tax-efficient wealth management, and capital raising through GIFT City’s international ecosystem.
In Kilifi, Governor Gideon Mung’aro welcomed the delegation, describing the engagements as timely and strategic for the county’s development agenda.
“We also explored ways to unlock opportunities in tourism, agriculture, and special economic zones that can create jobs and grow our local economy,” he stated.
Mung’aro said discussions with the Indian team centred on practical cooperation in skills development, investment promotion, cultural exchange, and strengthening partnerships in education and healthcare.
“Discussions pertained to expanding India–Kilifi cooperation in investments, skills and capacity building, culture and people-to-people ties.”
He added that such engagements are critical in positioning Kilifi County as an attractive investment destination capable of delivering tangible value and employment opportunities to residents.
The governor further solicited Indian investments in Special Economic Zones and Export Processing Zones within Kilifi, citing the county’s strategic proximity to the Port of Mombasa as well as the availability of vast land suitable for agriculture and tourism ventures.
