President William Ruto addressing the Kenya–Belgium Business Forum in Brussels on June 8, 2026 / PCSBelgian investors have expressed interest in Kenya’s renewable energy, mineral resources and agribusiness sectors, following high-level investment engagements aimed at deepening economic cooperation between the two countries.
President William Ruto urged Belgian and European manufacturers to shift towards value addition within Africa, saying Kenya is positioning itself as a competitive hub for clean-energy-powered industrial production and global supply chains.
“I say to Belgian manufacturers, do not buy Africa’s raw materials to add value elsewhere. Come and build with us. Process Kenyan minerals in Kenya and Africa on clean power and help Europe secure the supply chains it needs,” he said.
The discussions brought together investors and business representatives who highlighted opportunities for collaboration across manufacturing, energy, logistics and agriculture.
Belgium Family Offices representative Rudi Deruytter said there is significant potential for joint investment and technical cooperation.
“I think we have a lot of expertise in the areas that you mentioned that we can help to collaborate in the future,” he said.
In the industrial and technology space, Sirona Tech’s Theralf Gutteres pointed to Kenya’s renewable energy capacity and geological advantages as key factors supporting investment in advanced industrial operations.
“We build our machines here today, but we go to the best places in the world to run our machines, and we need two things. We need renewable energy, but also CO₂ storage potential. Kenya is one of the best places in the world because of the massive renewable energy you have and also the Rift Valley,” he said.
Agribusiness also featured prominently in the discussions, with Boc Consult’s Steven Pope highlighting opportunities in tea, coffee and avocado value chains, including packaging, branding, export diversification and cold chain logistics.
“We’re starting with tea, coffee, avocados, value addition, packaging, branding, and exports. We’re starting with a $250 million blended finance program. For investors out there, this is a golden opportunity,” he said.
He added that evolving global trade dynamics are creating new export markets for Kenyan products, particularly in Europe and the Middle East.
Port of Antwerp and Bruges representative Mario Lieven emphasised the changing narrative around Africa’s role in global trade.
“Africa is indeed trade and not aid,” he said.
President Ruto addressed the Kenya–Belgium Business Forum in Brussels, where he championed a new Africa-Europe partnership founded on sovereign equality, mutual benefit, and shared prosperity.
The President showcased investment opportunities in agribusiness, logistics, technology, clean energy, and the circular economy, and invited Belgian and Benelux businesses to partner with Kenya in value addition, manufacturing, innovation, and sustainable industrialisation.
Ruto officiated the launch of the Kenya–Benelux Chamber of Commerce, a permanent bridge connecting Kenyan enterprises with the investors, innovators, and markets of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.
“Africa is the opportunity. Kenya is the gateway. Let us build stronger partnerships that expand trade, create jobs, and unlock shared prosperity for our peoples,” Ruto said.
