Stronger business partnerships could drive Coast’s manufacturing growth, air travel demand

The partnerships could help position Mombasa and the wider Coast as a manufacturing, trade and investment hub rather than an economy largely driven by tourism.

George Oduor, Head of Scheduled Services at fly748.com, said closer links between businesses would be critical in connecting manufacturers and investors to markets, suppliers, talent and customers.

“The Coast has enormous potential to become a stronger manufacturing, trade and investment hub. Unlocking that potential, however, requires partnerships that connect businesses to markets, investors, suppliers, talent and customers,” Oduor said.

He was speaking on Saturday during the third edition of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) Coast Golf Tournament at Nyali Golf Club in Mombasa.

Held under the theme “Industry Partnerships Forged on the Fairways,” the tournament brought together 220 registered players from the manufacturing and wider business community.

The event provided an opportunity for business leaders to network and explore partnerships aimed at supporting the growth of manufacturing in Mombasa and the wider Coast region.

Oduor said growth in manufacturing and investment would have spillover effects on sectors such as aviation, hospitality, tourism and conferencing.

“When a company brings investors, suppliers or business partners to Mombasa, that visit creates demand for flights, accommodation, restaurants, conference facilities and local experiences,” he said.

He said stronger business activity could therefore help diversify the region’s travel market, which has traditionally been heavily reliant on leisure and tourism.

Improved connectivity between Nairobi and the Coast would be particularly important as companies expand their operations, develop supply chains and pursue new markets, he added.

For the aviation industry, Oduor said, the growth of business activity presents an opportunity to facilitate movement between the country’s key economic centres.

“Air connectivity is ultimately an enabler of economic opportunity. Every manufacturer expanding operations at the Coast, every investor visiting a project and every new business partnership represents movement of people, ideas and investment,” he said.

The push for greater economic diversification comes as Mombasa continues to serve as a major tourism and commercial centre, with its port, manufacturing activities and tourism industry underpinning much of the regional economy.

Oduor said expanding the business travel segment alongside tourism could help create more consistent demand for services across the year.

“Mombasa will always be one of Kenya’s most important tourism destinations, but there is significant opportunity to grow the business travel segment alongside tourism,” he said.

A more diversified Coast economy, he added, could create opportunities across manufacturing, aviation, hospitality and tourism.