Mr Jack Ma, the Founder and Executive Chairman of Chinese e-commerce Company Alibaba, arrived in Kenya on Wednesday evening accompanied by 38 Chinese billionaires.
The 38 Chinese Tycoons, from the Beijing Chamber of Commerce, include Alibaba’s Founding Partner Lucy Peng, Internet tycoon Bob Xu, Founder and Chairman of Mengniu Dairy Niu Gensheng and Real Estate Tycoon Huang Youlong.
The billionaires, who will be in Kenya for two days, will be scouting for business deals with the government and local business men.
Mr Ma, who is currently Asia’s richest man with a net worth of 30 billion dollars, will make a public appearance at the University of Nairobi (UoN) to offer Kenyan youth tips on how to build successful business empires.
He is expected to address 500 young business leaders at the University of Nairobi and meet business leaders on Thursday afternoon.
According to UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi, Mr Ma will focus on opening markets for small businesses and encouraging the culture of enterprise in Africa.
“I have discussed with Jack Ma and others that I would like us not only to grow African enterprises but also to start raising voices that a special market access waiver for produce from Africa, particularly from small business, in need,” Dr Kituyi stated.
He added, “Effort should be made to encourage young Kenyan entrepreneurs to access the Chinese market just like the Chinese are accessing local markets. Our challenge is not finding agents to import Chinese goods, I am looking for people who are willing to sell African goods to China.”
