Invest Kenya inks deal with Outsourcing Alliance to streamline investments

The agreement seeks to position Kenya as Africa's premier destination for Global Business Services (GBS), Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), and Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES).

According to Invest Kenya Chief Executive Officer John Mwendwa, the agreement will strengthen collaboration in investment promotion, investor facilitation, market intelligence, policy advocacy, skills development, and international branding.

"The signing of this agreement marks an important milestone in advancing Kenya's ambition to become Africa's leading Global Business Services hub. Through this collaboration, we are not just marketing our investment opportunities; we are actively streamlining the investor journey," Mwendwa said.

"By combining our One-Stop-Centre facilitation and dedicated aftercare with OAK’s industry expertise, we are reinforcing Kenya's competitiveness as an agile, business-friendly destination for high-value, technology-driven investments," he added.

Mwendwa further noted that increased investment in the GBS sector will drive economic diversification, create quality employment opportunities for Kenyan youth, enhance skills transfer, and increase the country's export of services.

On his part, OAK interim CEO Jonathan Beardsley said the MoU signals to the global market that Kenya is operating with a unified front, and not just marketing a destination, but systematising the investor journey.

"By combining OAK's commercial deal-making capability with Invest Kenya's statutory gateway, we are creating a seamless, 'Single Front Door' for global operators looking to scale AI-enabled and digital services in Africa," Beardsley said.

Invest Kenya and AOK will co-manage a shared investor pipeline to source and convert high-value leads. The collaboration includes fast-tracking operational setups—such as SEZ facilitation and critical work permits executing joint Go-To-Market strategies in the US and Europe, and establishing an aftercare programme to ensure long-term sector retention.

The agreement also seeks to deepen collaboration between the public and private sectors in developing a resilient and globally competitive outsourcing ecosystem that supports innovation, digital transformation, and inclusive economic growth.