The East Africa CEO & Investment Forum 2026 concluded on Friday with a resounding call for the region to move from integration commitments to practical implementation, as the two-day event delivered a $3.95 billion investment pipeline across key sectors.
The Forum, held in Nairobi, brought together business leaders, investors, governments, development finance institutions, and strategic partners to explore practical measures to accelerate intra- and extra-EAC trade and investment. The Deal Room matchmaking sessions facilitated direct engagements around 95 pre-screened investment opportunities valued at nearly $3.95 billion across agribusiness, manufacturing, digital infrastructure, energy, logistics, tourism, health, and other strategic sectors.
The Chief Guest, H.E. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda and Chairperson of the EAC Heads of State Summit, was represented by Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for EAC Affairs of Uganda and Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers. Kadaga reiterated commitment to addressing practical obstacles that constrain regional trade and investment.
“East Africa must move beyond being a consumer market and become a region that produces, processes, trades and exports competitively. We must strengthen regional value chains, add value to our natural resources, attract productive investment, transfer technology, develop skills and create sustainable employment,” she said.
“With regional growth projected at 6.0 percent in 2026, we must ensure that growth translates into investment, exports, jobs and shared prosperity,” she added.
The Forum launched several significant initiatives:
- East Africa Investment Projects Catalogue
- East Africa Trade and Investment Climate Report
- Regional AI and Productivity Study
- EAC Circular Economy Platform
- EABC–Afreximbank Agency Agreement on the Africa Trade Gateway
- EASTECO–Hessen cooperation through the EAC AI Alliance
Mr. Jas Bedi, EABC Vice Chairperson, appreciated the EAC Heads of State and the EAC Council of Ministers for their strong commitment to partnering with the private sector as an engine of sustainable, private-sector-driven economic growth.
Discussions highlighted opportunities to deepen regional value chains and value addition in agro-processing, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, minerals, and energy. Investment in technology and infrastructure, including AI, the digital economy, telecommunications, and FinTech, was recognised as key to raising productivity, improving services, driving innovation, and creating quality jobs.
The Reverse Investor & DFI Pitch Session explored how East African businesses can strengthen investment readiness and connect with suitable sources of capital. Discussions highlighted equity, debt, blended and development finance, with investors emphasising viable business models, strong cash flows, capable management, growth potential, and ESG compliance.
In his vote of thanks, Mr. Bruce Mpamizo, EABC Board Director, appreciated the Governments of the EAC Partner States and called for “Buy East African, Build East Africa” and “Buy African, Build Africa.”
“The success of the East Africa CEO & Investment Forum will not be measured by the conversations held here, but by what happens after we leave this room — the partnerships we sustain, the projects we finance, the deals we convert, the businesses we expand and the jobs we create,” he stated.
The Forum was jointly convened by the East African Business Council (EABC), the EAC Secretariat, and the East African Development Bank (EADB), with support from GIZ, AGRA, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and other strategic partners.
