Adili Group and ALN Kenya convened a high-level forum in Nairobi on February 12 to discuss Africa’s manufacturing growth and investment outlook, amid rising international interest in Kenya as a regional industrial hub.

The Future of Manufacturing and Investment Forum, held at ALN House, brought together global investors, government officials, financiers and manufacturers from China, Japan, Europe, the United States and East Africa.

Organisers said the event highlighted the role of public-private collaboration in advancing the continent’s industrial development.

Senior representatives from government agencies, development partners, banks, manufacturing companies, industrial associations and investment firms attended the conference.

Organisers noted that the broad participation underscored the importance of coordinated action to strengthen Africa’s manufacturing base and improve the investment climate.

The forum was opened by Ambassador Katalin Nyirati of Hungary, who highlighted the role of international partnerships and innovation-led ecosystems in supporting industrial transformation.

John Mwendwa, chief executive officer of Invest Kenya, outlined Kenya’s investment outlook and its appeal to global manufacturers.

Dr Kenneth Chelule, Director General of the Special Economic Zones Authority, emphasised the role of special economic zones in supporting infrastructure development, policy alignment and investor confidence.

William Zhou, Chairman of the Kenya Chinese Chamber of Commerce, spoke on increasing capital flows into high-value manufacturing, mobility and industrial infrastructure.

Chris Diaz, EBS, Executive Chairman of Adili Group, formally opened the conference, calling for agile leadership and coordinated collaboration across Africa to attract global capital, unlock manufacturing growth and build sustainable industrial ecosystems.

Panel discussions included senior figures from finance, legal advisory, energy, manufacturing and investment, who examined governance, sustainability and financing structures needed to support industrial expansion.

Sessions led by Amyn Mussa, Daniel Ngumy, Joyce Njogu of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, Matt Lloyd of AVA and Nicholas Tatrallyay of Berkeley Energy focused on policy frameworks, infrastructure readiness and incentives to strengthen Africa’s manufacturing competitiveness.

A forward-looking panel featuring Diaz, Elizabeth Wasunna of Absa Bank Kenya, Carey Ngini of Bentworth Energy and MGAS, Vimal Shah of Bidco Africa and Mary Mulili of UBA Kenya discussed how technology, green energy and capital investment could shape the next generation of factories across Africa.

Another session addressed risk and cyber resilience for manufacturers, with Willie Oelofse, Head of Adili Risk Advisory, and Mbabu Muturi, Head of Adili Cyber Services, highlighting operational and cyber challenges as manufacturing becomes more digitised and interconnected.

Organisers said the conference demonstrated a collective commitment from manufacturers, banks, energy companies, investment firms, diplomatic missions and regulatory stakeholders to advance Africa’s industrial future.

Diaz commented: “Africa’s manufacturing future will be shaped by leaders who collaborate across borders and sectors and invest in long-term growth. This forum demonstrated the strength of partnerships bringing strategic investors, financers and industrialists to grow economic transformation across the region.”