The US Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, has commended the strides taken by President William Ruto’s administration in enhancing Kenya’s business environment.
In remarks preceding the celebration of 60-year diplomatic relations between Kenya and the United States, Ambassador Whitman pointed out the significant transformation witnessed in Kenya's business climate since President Ruto assumed office in 2022.
Since assuming office in 2022, President Ruto has spearheaded reforms aimed at fostering economic growth and attracting foreign investment. Ambassador Whitman highlighted three pivotal changes, including the elimination of Value Added Tax (VAT) on exported services, the removal of domestic equity requirements for ICT companies, and the revitalization of special economic zones.
During the launch of the Call Centre International (CCI) Global Contact Centre at Tatu City in Kiambu County on Friday, May 10, Ambassador Whitman underlined the tangible benefits of these reforms.
She noted that the removal of VAT on export services has already attracted three American companies – JetBlue, AT&T, and T-Mobile – to establish operations in Kenya, thereby contributing to job creation and economic expansion.
“If Kenya is to truly become the Singapore of Africa, it needs to grow GDP between 6-8 per cent a year and create one million new good paying jobs every year for the next 10 years,” Ambassador Whitman remarked.
President Ruto echoed this sentiment, reaffirming his commitment to implementing policies conducive to the growth of IT-enabled services, particularly in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector.
Amplifying Kenya’s competitive advantages, including a skilled workforce, strategic geographical location, and proficiency in English, President Ruto outlined plans to invest in digital infrastructure to facilitate job creation and economic empowerment.
The launch of the CCI Global Contact Centre at Tatu City, which has already generated over 5,000 jobs, exemplifies Kenya’s progress in leveraging technology to drive economic growth.
“We are determined to claim our fair share of the BPO pie for the benefit of our young men and women who are eager to contribute to growing our economy,” he stated.
President Ruto asserted the government’s dedication to providing incentives and creating an enabling environment to attract further investment in the digital space.
As Kenya looks towards the future, Ambassador Whitman expressed optimism regarding the upcoming deals set to be signed during President Ruto’s visit to the White House. These agreements, she noted, will continue the deepening partnership between Kenya and the United States, further bolstering Kenya’s position as a hub for innovation and investment in Africa.
