The United States has encouraged American investors to explore opportunities in Kenya’s newly proposed National Infrastructure Fund, a flagship initiative aimed at expanding the country’s road network and accelerating economic growth.
President William Ruto announced the plan following cabinet approval on 15 December, with the fund now awaiting parliamentary approval before it can be formally established.
The government aims to raise KSh1.5tn, about $11bn, to finance the construction of 10,000 kilometres of new tarmac roads across the country.
The initiative is a central pillar of Kenya’s infrastructure modernisation agenda, designed to strengthen national connectivity, improve rural access and reduce transport costs that have long weighed on productivity and trade.
Funding is expected to come from a mix of national budget allocations, privatisation of selected state assets, capital market instruments and public private partnerships, marking a deliberate shift towards private sector led infrastructure development.
Ruto said the expanded road network would open up rural regions, support agricultural trade and improve logistics efficiency nationwide, helping to drive what the government describes as inclusive economic growth.
The proposed fund has already attracted interest from the United States, which sees substantial commercial opportunities for American firms in Kenya’s infrastructure and transport sectors.
With Nairobi signalling a stronger appetite for private investment, US companies specialising in construction, engineering, project finance and infrastructure technology are expected to play a prominent role in future tenders and partnerships.
Opportunities identified include road design and construction, participation in public private partnerships and infrastructure bonds, deployment of advanced construction and traffic management technologies, and consultancy services focused on project design, financing and operations.
Investment opportunities linked to asset privatisation are also expected to form part of the programme.
US officials said the initiative reflects Kenya’s broader strategy of engaging global private partners in national development and positions the country as an increasingly important infrastructure investment destination in East Africa.
Tender notices and partnership opportunities are expected to be published in the coming months on the Kenya Public Procurement Information Portal, subject to parliamentary approval of the fund.
