The Kenya Investment Authority is a government agency set up to provide you with professional assistance, Facilitation, information and advice if you are a local or a foreign investor seeking to establish a new investment or expand your existing investments in Kenya.
Kenya Investment Authority will also provide you with free information of business and give you the investment opportunities in Kenya if you are an entrepreneur, a consultant, a researcher or a journalist looking for investment information.

The Kenya Investment Authority welcomes you to invest in Kenya now and take advantage of Kenya’s:

• Uninterrupted political and economic stability
• Abundant, well trained, mobile labour
• Strategic location - easy access to regional and world markets
• Well-developed social and physical infrastructure, and KIA’s one-stop facilitation service.

Kenya has had uninterrupted political stability illustrated by Kenya’s:

• Multiparty democracy
• Democratic elections every five years since independence
• Smooth transition between governments

The government has revitalised the investment climate by:-

• Smooth transition between governments,
• Liberalising the exchange control,
• Removing price controls,
• Freeing the shilling exchange rate to be market driven,
• Abolishing import licensing and many other licences which tended to hinder business
• Opening up of the capital markets to foreign participation and,
• A Generous Investment and capital allowance;
• Remission for customs and VAT
• Manufacturing under bond status
• Export processing zones status
• Double taxation agreements
• Protection and promotion of investment agreements
• Bilateral investment treaties and Trade agreements

Guarantees to investor: Kenya provides the following guarantees to local and foreign investors:

1. Guarantees Against Expropriation

The Constitution of Kenya provides guarantees against expropriation of private property, which may occur for reasons of security or public interest. In such a case, a fair and prompt compensation is guaranteed.

2. Repatriation of Capital and Profits

Capital repatriation, remittance of dividends and interest are guaranteed to foreign investors under the Foreign Investment Protection Act (FIPA) (Cap 518). Investors can repartriate: After tax profits, including retained profits which have not been capitalised, the proceeds of the investment after payment of the relevant taxes and principal and interest associated with any loan.

Other Guarantees;

Kenya is a Member of the World Bank-affiliated Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), which issues guarantees against non-commercial risk to enterprises that invest in member countries. Kenya is also a Member of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), and of the Africa Trade Insurance Agency (ATIA). The Government policy is aimed at extending facilitatoin measures in favour of private sector investment.

The Export Sector contributes about 30% of Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Thus, it is a priority sector in the growth of the country’s economy. By promoting an export led economy, there is employment creation and improvement of the lifestyles of many people in the country.

Forming and Registering a Company

There are three types of companies: Sole Proprietorship, Partnerships, or Limited Companies. The process of forming a company starts with the identification of a business name. The name should then be submitted to the Attorney General’s Chambers for search. If no company is registered under the name, it may be available for registration on payment of a fee. Once the name is registered, it becomes a legal business name and cannot be used by another company.

A Sole Proprietorship can trade either in the name of the owner, or in a legally registered business name. For partnerships and limited companies, the registration process may require that you use the services of a lawyer.

Exporters Code NumberAll
companies involved in export business are required to have a code number issued by the Department of Customs and Excise. The processing of a code number requires one of the following documents:

• Copy of Certificate of Incorporation
• Copy of Certificate of Registration of Business Name
• Copy of Trade License

Export License
A majority of exportable products do not require export licenses. However, there are a few products that are still subject to export licenses for reasons touching on environment conservation and security. The products falling under this category are licensed by the Department of Internal Trade, Ministry of Trade and Industry, on production of authority or permit from relevant Government agencies.

Special Permits
A number of products require special permits from relevant agencies before they can be exported. They include fish, horticulture and mineral based products.

Fish - Exporters will require contacting the Department of Fisheries for the following:

• Processing License
• Fish Movement Permit
• Certificate of Compliance with the Kenya Standards for Fish Handling and Processing
• Approval Number
• Export Documentation
• Export Permit
• Health Certificate

Horticulture Exporters will require:

• Export Permit from the Horticultural Crops Development Authority (HCDA)
• Compliance to Traceability of Produce, Hygiene, Maximum Residue Level (MRL), Good Agricultural Practices and Proper Post Harvest handling Procedures.
• Phytosanitary Certificate from the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services (KEPHIS).

Mineral Based Products Exporters will require a permit from the Commissioner of Mines and Geology.

Certificate of Origin

These are issued by the Customs Department of Kenya Revenue Authority depending on the export destination. They can also be obtained from Nakuru, Eldoret, Mombasa and Kisumu Customs Offices. The purpose of the Certificate of Origin is to indicate the origin of exports so that the products can enjoy preferential duty entry into the export market depending on the trade arrangement that exists between Kenya and the importing country.

Investment Laws

Kenya’s investment law is created with the clear purpose of creating a favourable atmosphere for investment. The foreign investment protection act (cap 518), for example is geared to ensure that a foreign investor enjoys as great freedom as citizens investing in their own country.

INVESTMENT ORGANISATIONS

1. Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA http://www.kra.go.ke
2. Central Bank of Kenya http://www.cbk.go.ke
3. Export-Processing-Zones-Authority http://www.epzakenya.com
4. Kenya Investment Authority http://www.investmentkenya.com
5. Similar Pages http://www.unido.org
6. Industrial Promotion Services (ICDC) http://www.icdc.co.ke
7. Nairobi Stock Exchange http://www.nse.co.ke
8. Industrial Promotion Services
9. Africa Project Development Facility