Kenya Unveils APEX Platform, Unlocking Investment in 43 Special Economic Zones
Kenya has launched the American Property Export Exhibition (APEX) platform, signaling new investment opportunities within the country’s 43 Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
APEX 2025 is the premier Global Property & Real Estate Exchange, designed to connect Kenyan and African real estate developers, policymakers, and investors with strategic partners and investors from the United States and beyond.
Following a successful inaugural edition in New York in 2024, APEX 2025 will take place from September 17–19, 2025, at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Florida, USA as Kenya is set to participate in the APEX 2025 second Edition.
Speaking at the event, Zohoor Ahmed, Vice President of MIE Group and APEX Africa board member, highlighted the expo as a strategic trade bridge connecting global markets to the U.S. for real estate investment.
“We successfully launched last year in New York, and this year, we are proud to expand to Miami, focusing on 15 emerging markets with high returns on investment,” he said.
MIE Groups is a leading global business facilitation and trade exhibitions company, connecting international investors and businesses across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. With 15 offices worldwide—including the UAE (global headquarters in Dubai), China, Africa, Saudi Arabia, and the USA—MIE has facilitated over 120,000 international trading companies to expand in the Middle East and Africa.
Kenya is among the key territories, with 20 companies expected to participate.Ahmed emphasized the expo’s role in driving economic growth by attracting foreign investment into Kenya’s real estate sector.
“Real estate investment drives economies, and APEX ensures that investment flows back into Kenya, creating jobs and expanding the industry,” he noted.
He further stressed the importance of a transparent regulatory framework and a strong ecosystem comprising developers, suppliers, and technology firms to encourage more investment.
“Once investors are assured of regulatory transparency and ecosystem strength, capital flows seamlessly, whether for a single-unit housing project or smart city development,” he said.
With Kenya’s real estate sector on the rise, participation in APEX presents a significant opportunity to attract diaspora and international investors into the country’s property market.
The APEX Stakeholder Breakfast, hosted by MIE Groups and Global Exhibitions brought together key players from Kenya’s investment, real estate, and infrastructure sectors for high-level discussions on how to accelerate foreign direct investment (FDI) into Kenya’s property and built environment sector.
Kenya Eyes Trillion-Shilling Investments in Special Economic Zones.
Dr. Chelule emphasized the role of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and industrial parks in driving Kenya’s industrialization and positioning the country as a premier investment destination.
Making his remarks,Kenneth Chelule, CEO of Special Economic Zones Authority (SEZs), highlighted the untapped potential of over 3 billion square meters of build space available for development.
“This platform provides an avenue to attract investors who will partner with us as we head to the U.S. later this year,” he noted.
He emphasized that SEZ offers unparalleled incentives to investors, facilitating infrastructure development and enhancing foreign direct investment (FDI).
Chenule outlined the government’s investor-friendly policies, which include a 10% corporate tax for the first 10 years, a 15% rate for the following decade, and exemptions on stamp duty, input duty, withholding tax, and capital gains tax.
He also highlighted the “one-stop shop” model, which simplifies business registration, licensing, and utility connections for both local and foreign investors.
“Our goal is to streamline processes and create an attractive business environment, similar to what has worked in global investment hubs like Singapore,” he stated.
Despite concerns about businesses closing, Chelule reassured stakeholders that new enterprises continue to emerge, with 91 businesses already licensed within the SEZ framework 60% of them in the last two years.
“For every business that closes, two or three new ones are starting,” he affirmed, pointing to Kenya’s growing attractiveness as an investment destination.
He projected trillion-shilling investments over the next decade, solidifying the SEZ program as a key driver of economic growth.
The event, headlined by Dr. Kenneth Chelule, CEO of the Special Economic Zones Authority (SEZs), convened senior representatives from the Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry, Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest), the Kenya Property Developers Association (KPDA), the National Construction Authority (NCA), and major industrial and real estate developers, including Nairobi Gate Industrial Park and Tatu City.
By Sharon Atieno
