Kenyan diaspora lobby seeks to tap opportunities at continental forum

Kenya Diaspora Alliance chairperson Dr Shem Ochuodho/FILE

A lobby championing for the welfare of Kenyans in the diaspora is seeking to tap opportunities for investment at a continental forum taking place this weekend in Durban, South Africa.

The Kenya Diaspora Alliance will explore opportunities that Kenyans in the diaspora can focus on to increase remittances back home.

The organisation’s chairperson Dr Shem Ochuodho, said the meeting is significant in exposing untapped opportunities that can be exploited by Kenyans living abroad.

The meeting, referred to as the reSURGEnce Conference, is a global business growth initiative aimed at fueling economic revival and empowering local communities.

It brings together institutions, entrepreneurs, businesses, churches, and non-profits to address economic disparities through four pillars:

“The meeting opens doors to funding, markets, government contracts, and global opportunities that drive lasting economic change. There is also guidance and support from experienced leaders to help businesses grow and overcome challenges,” explained Ochuodho.

According to Ochuodho, the event will bring together industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and government officials for insightful discussions, networking opportunities, and collaboration sessions aimed at unlocking the vast potential of the African market.

“In harnessing remittances back home, we will be exploring innovative strategies, forging meaningful connections, and embark on a journey of growth and success at this premier conference in the heart of Durban,” he added.

The meeting will feature global icons like Ndaba Mandela, Dr. George Fraser, and Rev. Dennis Dillon who will offer insights on business and investments.

The South African forum comes ahead of a homecoming meeting in December in Nairobi that will be aiming to boost investment opportunities in the cooperative sector.

Ochuodho revealed that remittances from the diaspora reached approximately Sh640 billion in last fiscal period, hence solidifying their indispensable role in national development.

He explained that through cooperatives in housing, agribusiness, finance, manufacturing, and technology, this convention seeks to spotlight scalable frameworks for shared prosperity, democratic ownership, and community-driven progress.

“Kenya’s cooperative sector boasts a legacy of collective empowerment, particularly in agribusiness, housing, and finance. As the country advances its Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), cooperative models are well positioned to foster inclusive, sustainable, and resilient economic growth,” explained Ochuodho.

In June, President William Ruto commended the Kenyan Diaspora for its growing contribution to national development, noting that remittances from Kenyans abroad have reached an all-time high of $10.8 billion.

The President underscored the need to harness diaspora skills and resources through structured policy initiatives.

Ruto noted that remittances from the diaspora have grown significantly over the past two years, from $4 billion (Ksh516 billion) to $4.95 billion (Sh638 billion) in 2023.

“We particularly recognise remittances from the diaspora and the role they play in family and community support, investment and in boosting our foreign reserves that currently amount to $10.8 billion, the highest ever,” said Ruto.

“In the past two years, the remittances have grown from $4 billion (KSh516 billion) to $4.95 billion (KSh638 billion) last year,” he added.