NAIROBI, Kenya — Regional business leaders, government officials and development partners converged at the East Africa CEO & Investment Forum 2026, with trade, investment and regional integration taking centre stage.
Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of East African Community, ASALs and Regional Development, Hon. Beatrice Askul Moe, attended the forum as Chief Guest, joining senior regional and international representatives for the launch of two key publications: the EAC Trade and Investment Climate Report and the East Africa Investment Projects Catalogue 2026.
The launch provided a platform to examine East Africa’s evolving business and investment landscape, while highlighting opportunities for deeper regional economic cooperation.
Among those attending were Mr. Jas Bedi, EABC Vice Chairperson; H.E. Andreas Peschke, EU Ambassador to the Republic of Kenya; H.E. Amb. Stephen P. Mbundi, EAC Secretary General; and Hon. Amb. Gamal Mohamed, Minister for Commerce & Industry of the Federal Republic of Somalia and Chair of the inaugural Horn of Africa Initiative (HoAI) Trade Ministers.
The presence of senior government representatives, regional institutions, the private sector and development partners underscored the growing importance of collaboration in advancing trade and investment across the region.
The EAC Trade and Investment Climate Report provides a platform for understanding the environment in which businesses operate across the East African Community, while the East Africa Investment Projects Catalogue 2026 highlights investment opportunities available across the region.
The two publications come at a time when East African countries continue to pursue greater economic integration and seek to attract investment that can support job creation, enterprise development and sustainable economic growth.
The forum also created space for dialogue between policymakers and the private sector on how to strengthen the region’s investment climate and facilitate cross-border trade.
With East Africa positioning itself as an increasingly connected regional market, participants emphasised the importance of partnerships between governments, businesses and development institutions in unlocking investment opportunities and strengthening regional value chains.
The launch therefore marked a significant moment for the forum, moving the conversation beyond policy discussions towards identifying and showcasing concrete trade and investment opportunities across East Africa.
By Fred Azelwa.