East Africa’s next chapter depends on mutual investment, not access
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
Over the years, I have built, deepened and deployed capital while working to strengthen confidence in our markets. That experience has given me a clear view of what mutual prosperity through trade and investment can unlock, and what will define the next chapter of US–East Africa relations.
The American narrative is shifting from aid to trade. The priority now is to ensure that this shift delivers mutual prosperity, not just market access. For the partnership to thrive, it must be built on mutual investment, durable commercial co-investment and local value creation.
East Africa was the continent’s fastest-growing region for the second consecutive year, according to the African Development Bank’s 2026 outlook. Regional growth accelerated from 4.3 percent in 2024 to 6.6 percent in 2025 and is projected to moderate to 5.9 percent this year before recovering to 6.4 percent in 2027.
That growth points to expanding consumer markets, rising demand for infrastructure and services, and businesses seeking capital and international partnerships. Investment will build productive capacity, create jobs and enable local companies to participate more fully in regional and global value chains.
The extension of Agoa offers relief by restoring duty-free access to the US market for African products. But the greater opportunity lies beyond that: long-term investment in manufacturing, infrastructure, logistics, technology and competitive regional value chains.
East Africa is increasingly a strategic growth market as global companies reassess supply chains and seek new regional platforms for expansion.
The region’s appeal also lies in its potential as a gateway to the African Continental Free Trade Area’s single market. It offers investors an opportunity to build export-driven growth while deepening East Africa’s role in continental commerce.
Seven sectors are likely to drive growth and investment: manufacturing, the digital economy, energy and infrastructure, agriculture, health, the creative economy, and critical minerals and supply chains. For East Africa, the issue is not simply where raw materials are sourced, but how supply chains are managed to capture more value and create jobs locally.
Governments must create conditions in which businesses can invest with confidence through predictable regulation, efficient institutions, competitive fiscal frameworks, transparent procurement, integrated markets and credible pipelines of investment-ready projects.
The United States, meanwhile, has a strategic interest in East Africa that is best matched by long-term commercial commitment.
The upcoming US-East Africa AmCham Business Summit, hosted by Am-Cham Kenya and its peers in Rwanda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Uganda, provides a timely opportunity to accelerate capital flows and turn commitments into investable projects, commercial agreements and supplier partnerships.
Paul Muthaura is the CEO American Chamber of Commerce Kenya
Reporting originally appeared via Business Daily. Read the full source for additional context.