Meru: Meru County is positioning itself as a major investment hub, as it prepares to hold the Meru International Investment Conference, which seeks to connect investors with viable investment opportunities across the county. The Conference, scheduled for December 3rd, 2026, is being organised through a strategic partnership between the Meru County Government, Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST), and the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI).
According to Kenya News Agency, during a pre-conference briefing, Meru County Executive Committee Member for Trade, Reverend Carol Kaberia, stated that the county was ready to transform the conference from a networking event into a platform for actual investments. Rev. Kaberia highlighted the opportunities in manufacturing, tourism, trade, ICT, the green economy, financial services, and agriculture. The County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP) was identified as a flagship investment opportunity focusing on value addition and agro-processing.
Rev. Kaberia emphasized the importance of processing agricultural products locally to help farmers obtain better returns and reduce post-harvest losses. He noted that government agencies would be present at the CAIP to assist investors with certification and regulatory processes. The conference is intended to be a platform for action, encouraging partnerships with the business community, development partners, and financial institutions.
KNCCI Meru Chapter Chairman Kirimi Mungania expressed that the partnership aimed to open up Meru to local and international investors. Mungania described the region as having enormous agricultural potential, yet farmers were not benefiting due to a lack of value addition. He stressed the need for farmers to process commodities into finished products for higher returns and encouraged local businesspeople to embrace modern business practices.
Mungania noted that the conference would bring together various stakeholders to explore investment opportunities in the county. A trade fair would also be held to expose local businesses and farmers to new technologies, markets, and investment opportunities. The conference aims to create opportunities for young people and encourage banks and investors to partner with local enterprises.
Kamencu Ithai of MUST, Chairperson of the Conference Organizing Committee, stated that the event was a result of strategic collaboration between the involved institutions. Ithai mentioned that the conference would showcase local businesses, university innovations, and tourist attractions in Meru County. Despite Meru’s strategic location, many are unaware of the region’s investment and tourism opportunities. The conference aims to link university-developed innovations with SMEs, fostering commercialization and economic growth.
Ithai emphasized Meru’s untapped potential, suggesting that the international investment conference would attract investors and contribute to the county’s economic transformation.
