Partnerships
BERMS
BERMS is our digital platform designed to track, monitor, and manage business environment reforms across the country. It offers a transparent, real-time view of reform progress, improving coordination between government institutions and the private sector while ensuring accountability in delivering measures that enhance competitiveness. BERMS also serves as a collaborative space where stakeholders can share feedback and propose new reforms that support a stronger, more predictable investment climate. Discover how BERMS drives meaningful, data-driven improvements for investors and businesses alike.
About BERMS
The State Department for Investment Promotion drives Kenya's investment agenda with a clear mandate: to create a predictable, competitive, and investor-friendly environment. We champion policy and regulatory reforms, deliver end-to-end investor facilitation, and coordinate the institutions that underpin Kenya's investment ecosystem. Through proactive engagement and evidence-driven strategies, we position Kenya as a premier destination for sustainable and high-impact investment. Learn more about our mandate, our leadership, and the agencies that advance this mission.
Department for Business Reforms & Transformation
The Department for Business Reforms & Transformation drives Kenya's national agenda to create a competitive, predictable, and investor-friendly business environment. By working closely with ministries, counties, and private sector stakeholders, we implement reforms that simplify regulatory processes, streamline licensing and compliance, and enhance transparency across government services. Our work also focuses on leveraging digital systems to make government-to-business interactions more efficient and to provide real-time insights into reform progress. Through these efforts, we ensure that businesses can establish and operate smoothly, with clarity on policies and procedures, enabling both domestic and foreign investors to thrive in Kenya.
Our Mandate (as per Executive Order)
- Strengthen policies that support a competitive business environment
- Simplify and harmonize licensing, permits, and regulatory compliance
- Coordinate national reforms across ministries, counties, and agencies
- Promote digital transformation in government services for business
- Facilitate investment by reducing administrative bottlenecks
Our Work (Achievements & Initiatives)
- Instruction for Developers: Build a dynamic section where achievements can be uploaded, including title, brief description, optional date, attachments, or links to dashboards.
- Initial state should be empty — placeholder guidance visible only in the backend.
- Future entries may include:
- County Competitiveness Index
- Ease of Doing Business assessments
- Digital and policy reform initiatives impacting investors
This is the department to engage for clarity on regulatory processes, business reforms, or system improvements affecting the business and investment climate.
Department for Business Enterprise & Private Sector Development
The Department for Business Enterprise & Private Sector Development is focused on enabling a thriving, competitive private sector and supporting the growth of enterprises across Kenya. We work to empower SMEs, strengthen value chains, and foster innovation, ensuring that businesses can scale efficiently while accessing the markets and resources they need. By aligning enterprise development with national economic strategies, we create opportunities for inclusive growth and sustainable investment. Our engagements span from providing technical guidance to coordinating strategic initiatives that enhance private sector participation, making Kenya a fertile ground for both domestic and international business ventures.
Our Mandate (as per Executive Order)
- Promote the growth, competitiveness, and sustainability of enterprises
- Support MSMEs with market access, capacity building, and financing pathways
- Enhance value chain integration for domestic and export-oriented businesses
- Facilitate strategic private sector engagement with government programs
- Encourage innovation and entrepreneurship to drive economic transformation
Our Work (Achievements & Initiatives)
- Instruction for Developers: Include a dynamic, CMS-editable section for achievements or initiatives.
- Must support multiple entries with expandable text, multimedia uploads, and links to reports or dashboards.
- Backend-only placeholder messaging — public view stays clean until content is added.
- Future entries may include enterprise development programmes, policy support initiatives, market integration projects, or capacity-building campaigns.
This is the entry point for businesses seeking support to scale, access opportunities, or navigate enterprise development programmes.
Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest)
KenInvest is the government's one-stop investment promotion agency, committed to attracting, facilitating, and retaining both domestic and foreign investments. We guide investors through Kenya's regulatory and administrative processes, provide timely market information, and connect businesses with relevant government institutions and private sector partners. By offering seamless facilitation and aftercare services, KenInvest ensures that investors can start, expand, and operate their businesses efficiently, while benefiting from the country's competitive policies and incentives.
Mandate
- Facilitate investments and provide end-to-end investor support
- Guide investors on licenses, permits, and approvals
- Provide aftercare services to resolve post-establishment challenges
- Disseminate market intelligence and sector insights
- Advocate for reforms that improve the investment climate
Engage KenInvest when you need assistance starting, expanding, or navigating investments in Kenya.
Kenya Development Corporation (KDC)
KDC is Kenya''s national development finance institution, supporting the growth of high-impact projects across sectors. We provide long-term financing, advisory services, and project development support to enterprises that drive industrialization, value addition, and economic transformation. By partnering with businesses, we help make projects bankable, sustainable, and aligned with Kenya's economic priorities.
Mandate
- Facilitate investments and provide end-to-end investor support
- Guide investors on licenses, permits, and approvals
- Provide aftercare services to resolve post-establishment challenges
- Disseminate market intelligence and sector insights
- Advocate for reforms that improve the investment climate
Engage KenInvest when you need assistance starting, expanding, or navigating investments in Kenya.
Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA)
EPZA facilitates export-oriented investments in Kenya's Export Processing Zones, helping investors access incentives, infrastructure, and streamlined regulatory processes. We guide businesses through the licensing process, allocate industrial space, and provide ongoing support to ensure smooth operations for export-led enterprises. By creating a business-friendly environment within EPZs, EPZA contributes directly to Kenya's industrialization and global trade competitiveness.
Mandate
- Facilitate and regulate businesses operating in Export Processing Zones
- Allocate industrial space and serviced land to EPZ enterprises
- Provide advisory and support services to export-oriented businesses
- Promote compliance with EPZ regulations and incentives
Investors looking to set up export-led operations or benefit from EPZ incentives should engage EPZA.
Special Economic Zones Authority (SEZA)
SEZA oversees and facilitates investments within Kenya's Special Economic Zones, ensuring that designated zones provide integrated infrastructure, business-friendly regulations, and competitive incentives. We guide investors through the approval process, provide advisory services, and promote predictable operational environments. Through SEZA, investors gain access to modern industrial hubs designed to accelerate business growth and attract strategic investments.
Mandate
- Regulate and facilitate development of Special Economic Zones
- Provide advisory services to developers and investors in SEZs
- Promote incentives and infrastructure readiness within SEZs
- Support compliance with SEZ regulations and standards
If you are interested in SEZ incentives or setting up in a zone with integrated infrastructure, SEZA will guide you through the process.