The county government of Murang’a is positioning itself to capitalize on the ongoing trade tensions between global economic powerhouses China and the United States, with plans to attract foreign investors keen to relocate manufacturing operations to Africa.
Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata revealed the county’s strategic plans ahead of the upcoming Murang’a Invest 2025 conference, which will take place at Thika Greens Golf Resort on Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14.
“In America, we are targeting healthcare investors, particularly pharmaceutical manufacturers and nursing home operators,” Dr. Kang’ata stated.
“We’ve already earmarked land for a medi-city within the county. But we also intend to pursue opportunities in China, the world’s largest manufacturing hub.”
The governor stated that rising tariffs imposed by the United States are forcing Chinese manufacturers to seek alternative locations, creating a unique opportunity for African regions such as Murang’a to host new industrial bases.
In addition to courting global manufacturers, the county is sharpening its focus on value addition in agriculture. Murang’a, already a top exporter of avocados and a key player in coffee and small-scale tea production, aims to process more of these commodities locally to maximize returns for farmers and boost job creation.
“Value addition is at the heart of our agenda,” Dr. Kang’ata noted. “That is the essence of this weekend’s investment conference.”
The two-day event, themed “Unlocking Murang’a as an Industrial Hub”, will bring together local and international investors, county leaders, and sector experts to explore Murang’a’s economic potential.
Keynote speakers are expected to outline the county’s competitive advantages and highlight investment-ready projects across sectors such as education, technology, agriculture, and Special Economic Zones.
Organizers say the conference will serve as a platform to showcase innovations, examine development gaps, and explore actionable strategies for sustainable growth.
Local investors are also expected to play a significant role, with the county hoping the resulting investments will stimulate regional development and contribute to national economic goals.
Murang’a County’s ambitious pitch comes at a time when global supply chains are being restructured and emerging markets are gaining attention as viable destinations for industrial relocation.
