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Design and Print by BT Graphics Ltd | Photography by BT Graphics Ltd | Designer and photographer: Buky Taiwo | T +44(0)208 830 0763 F +44(0)208 451 5503 TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword 2 Introduction 3 Objectives of the Forum 4 Becoming a Diaspora 4 Current Engagement by the Diaspora 6 Diaspora-Challenges 8 Recommendations from the Diaspora 9 Responses from Kenya 10 Acknowledgement of the Role of the Diaspora to Kenyan's Economy 10 Calls for Institutionalising Diaspora networks 10 Government Initiatives 11 Private Initiatives 12 Capital Market 12 Insurance Products 12 Real Estate 12 Banking Sector 13 Recommendations 15 Governments 15 Private Sector 15 Appendix 16 Agenda 16 Key Presentations 18 Hon. Amos Kimunya MP Mr. Peter Kahara Munga 28 Mr Dick Gold 29 Mr John Wilkins 31 Toboka- Nkhwa 32 Ms Susan Kikwai 33 Gabriel Rwamba 34 Mr Lee G Karuri 34 Mr Frank Irei 35 Ms Carol Musyoka 36 Mr Jimnah Mbaru 38 Mr Eddy Njoroge 40 Dr. Ongon'ga Achieng' 41 Evaluation 43 Notes 44 AfricaRecruit permits reasonable rights of use of the content and preserves the right to be acknowledged FOREWORD fiscal and governance reforms all of thanks go to the Commonwealth which impact on Kenya's prosperity. The Secretariat and Africa Recruit for the Minister further pointed out that areas involvement in hosting the conference. for investment with higher returns were The Equity Bank of Kenya was central in sectors such as Agriculture, tourism, in ensuring engagement with the manufacturing, telecommunications, Kenyan diaspora. I am also grateful to infrastructure development, housing Hon. A. Kimunya the Kenya Minister for and real estate. He also noted that the Finance for coming to open the private sector partnership with conference and for his deep and government was very strong and as inspiring speech which set the mood for a result, policies developed were the Conference. The presence and conducive to business and investment. participation of Senior Officials of We at the Mission have cherished the government and parastatals as well as idea since my posting as High the senior executives from the private Commissioner for UK, Ambassador sector is also highly appreciated. The (Non-Resident) for Ireland and Staff at the High Commission worked HE Joseph Muchemi - MBS Switzerland to hold a diaspora hard in coordinating the work at the Kenya High Commissioner, UK investment conference due to the conference. Last but by no means 2 important role the diaspora community the least many thanks to the diaspora The Kenya Diaspora Investment Forum remittances play in the Kenya's community who turned out in large which was held in London on 8th and economy. It is estimated that currently numbers and fully actively participated 9th December 2006, was a milestone in about US$1 billion is remitted to Kenya and engaged in discussions which made the wider Kenya's Government efforts to annually from this source alone. This is the production of this report possible. woo potential investors of Kenya origin a colossal amount of money for the size and associates in the UK to invest in of our economy and must be acknowledged. their own country. The Forum was held In tandem with government's policy, in recognition of the important role economic diplomacy forms a major part played by the diaspora community as a of the Mission's mandate and holding the source of Foreign Direct Investment Forum was one of the activities planned (FDI) to the Kenyan economy. The for implementation in that direction. Forum was a culmination of efforts by The significant role being played by the Kenya High Commission in the the diaspora in financing development United Kingdom, the Commonwealth in Africa continues to grow globally and Secretariat, Africa Recruit and with African governments now acknowledge support of Equity Bank. this important fact. The need for global The Forum was a showcase and a partnerships in developing friendly testimony of the available investment policies as well as the necessary opportunities as was presented by high infrastructure is vital in harnessing powered delegation from Kenya led by the informal adhoc Foreign Direct the Hon. Amos Kimunya, Minister for Investment by the diaspora. Finance who delivered a key note The objective of this report is to give address. Accompanying the Minister an overview account of the event as from Kenya were senior government expressed by the speakers, delegates officials and Chief Executives of and participants in the Kenya Diaspora parastatals or their representatives and Investment Forum. Reports and a wide cross section of Kenyan discussions have been captured with business community. In his key note little interpretation except quotes, views address, the Minister informed the and analysis which may be attributed Forum that the government had put in to Africa Recruit. place various investment incentives and I am grateful to the teams and enabling environment for the investors. organisations which participated in the These include macro-economic stability, preparations for the conference. Special INTRODUCTION Secretariat for providing funding for the Ms. Susan Kikwai - Managing Director, conference and Equity Bank Kenya Ltd for Kenya Investment Authority; Farhana funding promotional activities for the Hassanali - New Projects Co-ordinator, conference. Other organisations that HassConsult, Kenya; Dr. Ongong'a supported the Forum through taking Ochieng, Managing Director, Kenya space in the workshop programme Tourism Board; Peter Gichuki Kingara, include the KCB Group, Barclays Bank, Managing Partner, Gichuki Kingara and HassConsult Real Estate Agents, Dyer Co. Advocates; Mr. James Wambugu, and Blair Investment Bank, CFC Financial Risk and Compliance Manager, services, Equity Bank Ltd, Atul Shah UAP Kenya. Solicitors (London), Send Me Home The objective of this report is to give an money transfer services, Family Finance overview account of the event Building society and UAP Insurance that was expressed by the speakers and Dr Titi Banjoko Company Ltd. delegates, in addition to the key message Chair/Director AfricaRecruit We also thank the many speakers and of the workshop. We would like to facilitators that kept the participants emphasize that we have tried to report on The Kenya Diaspora Investment Forum engaged throughout. Speakers at the discussions with as little interpretation 2006 report recognises the essential role the conference included Hon. Amos as possible. Except quotes, the views and of the Diaspora in providing an alternative Kimunya, MP, EBS Minister of Finance analysis contained in this report do not 3 source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI); in Kenya; Hon. Amos Wako, EBS, Attorney reflect the views of AfricaRecruit, building the brand “Kenya”; forging links to General, GOK; HE Joseph Muchemi, Commonwealth Secretariat and the Kenya harness global partnerships and Kenya High Commissioner to the High Commission. opportunities, and acting as a conduit UK, Hon. Berrow Kellow, MP, Peter of knowledge which can serve to Kahara Munga, Chairman Equity disseminate and share best practices. Bank Kenya Ltd; Dick Gold, Director The Forum was well attended by over GIDD, Commonwealth Secretariat 1000 Kenyans in the Diaspora and (Comsec), Mr. John Wilkins, Head of addressed by key speakers from the Special Section, GIDD/Comsec; Taboka public and private sectors from Kenya. Nkhwa, Head of Africa Section (Comsec); The level of participation and interest Dr. Titilola Banjoko, Chair/Director shown by all delegates point to the fact the AfricaRecruit NEPAD/CBC Initiative; Esther Diaspora are key stakeholders in Kenya's Koimet, Investment Secretary, Ministry of development. Finance, GOK. Jimna Mbaru, Chairman The ongoing acknowledgement of the Nairobi Stock Exchange; James Mwangi, significant role of the Diaspora in financing Managing Director, Equity Bank (K) Ltd.; Kenya's development and Africa wide BA Wairegi, Managing Director, British continues to grow globally. The need for American Insurance Co. and Dominic global partnerships; policies by both Kiarie, General Manager, British America sending and host countries as well as the Asset Managers Ltd; Eddy Njoroge, necessary infrastructure is vital in Managing Director, KENGEN. harnessing further the informal adhoc Others were; Mr. Atul Shah, Atul Shah FDI by the Diaspora commonly known Solicitors, London; Gabriel Rwamba - MD as remittances. EU Link, UK; Sam Ochieng - MD We are grateful to the Kenyan SACOMA, UK; Philip Ilako, Corporate High Commission in the United Kingdom; Director, KCB Group, Frank Ireri - The Commonwealth Secretariat's Managing Director, Housing Finance; Governance & Institutional Development Carol Musyoka, Corporate Director, Division and AfricaRecruit for hosting the Barclays Bank of Kenya; Lee Karuri, conference. We thank the Commonwealth Chairman Kenya Private Sector Alliance; 19% 2005/06 2006/07 OBJECTIVES OF THE FORUM Not Sure Mobilising the Diaspora to As part of a build up to the Forum, Approximately one third of the invest in Kenya and the event AfricaRecruit2% conducted respondents left Kenya over 10years Providing a platform for a survey of the Kenyan Diaspora to ago and 20% belong to a Diaspora stakeholders inside and outside which 1327 Diaspora responded. The organisation. 78% consider going Kenya to constructively engage full questionnaire can be viewed with back to Kenya now or at a later date. in developing viable investment can be viewed at the event website . All professional categories were vehicles; represented with a significant number Gaining an in-depth