President Ruto Rallies Private Sector to Drive Economic Growth Through Structured Dialogue and Investment Reforms

President William Ruto today chaired a high-level roundtable with Kenya’s private sector leaders in Nairobi, reaffirming the government’s commitment to accelerate economic reforms and foster growth through institutionalized public-private dialogue.
The forum, themed “Partnering for Prosperity – Strengthening Trade and Investment through Public-Private Dialogue,” brought together senior government officials including Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry Lee Kinyanjui, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Rebecca Miano, Principal Secretary for Investment Promotion Abubakar Hassan, Principal Secretary for State Department of Industry Dr. Juma Mukhwana and Principal Secretary for Trade Regina Ombam. Also in attendance were representatives from the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM),Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Retail Trade Association of Kenya (RETRAK)  Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA), Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali Associations, Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest) , Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), Shippers Council of Eastern Africa, European Union British Chambers of Commerce and bilateral chambers from, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands.
The President reaffirmed his commitment to institutionalize regular engagements with the private sector through quarterly forums convened by the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry (MITI) and biannual presidential roundtables to enhance policy coordination and drive results.
“These sessions provide a platform for candid reflections where we engage and listen ensuring that our partnership continues to deliver real tangible measurable outcomes for the benefit of the economy and people of Kenya” President Ruto said. 
Held in the capital, the meeting underscored Kenya’s improving economic performance. President Ruto cited a sharp drop in inflation from 9.6% in 2022 to 4.1% in July 2025, an increase in foreign exchange reserves from USD 6.5 billion to USD 11.8 billion and currency stability at Ksh 129 to the US dollar. The Nairobi Securities Exchange has rebounded, with market capitalization now at Ksh 2.5 trillion, reflecting renewed investor optimism.
He further highlighted strategic gains in agriculture, with maize, tea and coffee yields up by 50%, contributing to reduced imports and enhanced food security. Sugar and maize imports have declined by 70% and 80%, respectively.
To enhance the ease of doing business, the President directed MITI to expedite submission of the Business Laws (Amendment) Bill 2025 to Cabinet by end of August and finalize all pending business-related legislation in Parliament by December. Additionally, a digital one-stop centre at KenInvest will be fully operationalized to streamline investor services.
The Affordable Housing Programme, a key pillar of the administration's economic plan, has already generated 320,000 jobs, with a pipeline of 700,000 units. President Ruto announced that new construction shifts will accelerate delivery and push job creation to 600,000 in two months. Ksh 11 billion has been earmarked for the Jua Kali sector to manufacture housing components locally.
The Hustler Fund has disbursed Ksh 72 billion to 26 million Kenyans, mobilized Ksh 5 billion in savings and achieved an 83.3% repayment rate. Over 650,000 borrowers now qualify for bridge loans based on their credit ratings. All contractors under the housing programme are Kenyan, affirming the government’s commitment to local empowerment.
A fireside chat moderated by KEPSA CEO Carole Kariuki followed the plenary, with updates from the private sector on progress made since the last presidential roundtable. Key concerns raised included the finalization of a code of conduct for beach traders, improved market access for tourism operators and policy stability for investment.
President Ruto issued further directives including support for beach traders’ relocation through land and market infrastructure, urging consistency in policy implementation: “There should be minimal requests to change policies. Let them crystallize for up to five years for meaningful gain.”
He welcomed proposals from the Kenya Bankers Association to resolve VAT refund delays through government-backed bonds, encouraged lower lending rates and emphasized transitioning public infrastructure financing from bank loans to Public-Private Partnerships.
The event concluded with reaffirmed commitments from both government and industry to strengthen Kenya’s competitiveness in global trade, agriculture, ICT and manufacturing and to expand its footprint as a regional hub for business and innovation.