KEPSA, led by the CEO Ms Carole Kariuki, represented the private sector in the high-level Consultations Between the Government of Kenya and Key Development Partners Based in Nairobi on a New Development Paradigm on 3^rd October 2024. Hosted by the Ministry of Foreign & Diaspora Affairs and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the consultations centred on a roundtable dialogue between Kenyan institutions and strategic partners on the implementation of the Holistic Productive Capacities Development Programme of Kenya (HPCDP).

The forum brought together Cabinet Secretaries led by the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign & Diaspora Affairs Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, Hon Salim Mvurya (Investments, Trade and Industry), and Hon. Dr Andrew Karanja (Agriculture and Livestock Development); members of the Diplomatic Corps led by EU Ambassador to Kenya H.E. Henriette Geiger; the UN Community in Kenya led by UN Resident Coordinator Dr Stephen Jackson; the Academia; the Private Sector led by KEPSA among other leaders from stakeholders who are critical to the implementation of the HPCDP.   

In his remarks, Hon. Mudavadi expressed gratitude to development partners, private sector members, the academic community and the diplomatic corps for their robust support in Kenya's socioeconomic transformation. He added that Kenya is at a pivotal juncture, facing challenges but also seeking opportunities for future development, including economic diversification, industrialisation, value addition, infrastructure development and digital transformation.

The Holistic Programme will be operationalised through five interlinked pillars including Economic diversification, industrialisation and value addition; Infrastructure (including energy) and natural environment; ICT for digitalisation and transformation; Private sector; and Skills formation and improved policy coordination. This would constitute essential support towards aiding Kenya's socio-economic development, structural transformation and economic diversification.

KEPSA CEO highlighted the impact of global supply chain disruptions, particularly in food and energy sectors, and the need for resilience through diversified exports and agribusiness. She outlined how KEPSA is keen on fostering growth by facilitating collaborative initiatives, encouraging knowledge-sharing forums, and advocating for supportive regulatory frameworks in the digital space to ensure job creation. She also noted the importance of trade agreements, transport and logistics enhancements, and the role of the private sector in infrastructure development and skills training for the youth.

“We continue to support the creation of gender-inclusive, evidence-based policies and regulatory frameworks, including those that are aligned with and take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement. We are also committed to promoting the transfer and adoption of climate-smart technologies, particularly in the agriculture sector and strengthening national and institutional capacity of human capital, particularly around MSMEs,” said Dr. Jackson in his remarks, which were echoed by H.E. Henriette Geiger who noted that Kenya's ambition to become an upper middle-income country could not be achieved without addressing structural inequalities.

The forum underscored the need for all stakeholders to support the implementation of HPCDP Program which is crucial for achieving Kenya's Vision 2030 and the Medium-Term Plan 2022-2027. It also emerged that the program required additional resources to meet its objectives, considering the KES 20 billion allocated over the next 10 years. Key actions include finalising a memorandum of understanding, establishing a high-level steering committee, and creating an implementation secretariat. The program aims to foster economy-wide productive capacities and align with the Sustainable Development Goals.