Kenya opens second overseas investment promotion office in Saudi Arabia to attract Gulf capital

NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya is expanding its overseas investment promotion network to the Middle East with plans to establish a dedicated office in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to attract foreign investment and strengthen commercial ties with Gulf businesses.

The Jeddah office is the second pilot under Kenya’s International Investment Offices Model, following the launch of the inaugural office in Hangzhou, China, as the government seeks to position itself closer to major sources of foreign direct investment.

The proposed office will serve as a local commercial gateway for Saudi enterprises and institutional investors seeking opportunities in Kenya.

“It will facilitate FDI, coordinate and promote Kenyan investment opportunities directly to Saudi enterprises and institutional investors,” the Kenyan Embassy in Riyadh said.

Once operational, it will facilitate investment promotion, coordinate engagement with prospective investors and showcase opportunities in Kenya and the wider African market.

The initiative targets Saudi Arabia, which the Kenya Embassy in Riyadh describes as an important trade and investment partner, with significant potential for expanding bilateral commerce and attracting foreign direct investment.

Jeddah’s strategic position along the Red Sea is expected to provide a platform for engaging Saudi businesses and investors interested in Kenya, East Africa and other African markets.

Kenya is modelling the initiative on international investment promotion agencies such as the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), which operates an office in Riyadh as part of its global network.

The proposed hub will also draw on Kenya’s diplomatic networks, bilateral economic frameworks and existing strategic partnerships to deepen investment relations between the two countries.

The move builds on efforts to strengthen economic cooperation, including agreements signed in July 2026 on export promotion and an extension of the partnership between Saudi EXIM Bank and the Kenya Development Corporation.

The Jeddah pilot is part of Kenya’s broader strategy to establish dedicated investment offices in high-value foreign direct investment jurisdictions, bringing investment promotion closer to international capital and potential investors.

​Bruhan Makong is a Senior News Reporter for Capital FM in Nairobi, covering diplomacy, foreign policy, national security, climate, and human rights across East Africa and the wider region.