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Positioning Siaya as an Investment Destination: A New Era through SITICO 2025

Author

Gerald Kombo
September 25, 2025

Elizabeth Adongo, Head of Secretariat for the Siaya International Trade and Investment Conference (SITICO)

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“This is the first time that Siaya is holding our inaugural International Trade and Investment Conference. It has been born on a journey of serious reflection as we try to position ourselves as a county where investors can come. To attract investors, we had to look at the environment - whether our infrastructure is ready, whether there is a policy framework, if we have the architecture to allow them to invest, and crucially, what they are coming to invest in.”

The Siaya International Trade and Investment Conference (SITICO 2025) is set for 14th to 17th October 2025, a four-day platform that has already secured the highest endorsement in the land. His Excellency the President is scheduled to attend on Friday, a powerful signal that Siaya is firmly on the right track.

Bankable Projects Worth KSh 325 Billion

Siaya has profiled 17 bankable projects valued at KSh 325 billion, spanning agriculture, economy, energy, health, and environment. Developed in partnership with KenInvest and UNIDO, these projects will be accessible to both local and international investors for critical evaluation and deal-making.

Turning Global Recognition into Local Development

Siaya has given the world names like Barack Obama, Kenya’s first Vice President, and political icon Raila Odinga. It has also produced leading figures in academia and research. SITICO 2025 seeks to translate this global recognition into localized development, channeling influence and reputation into tangible outcomes for the people of Siaya.

Strategic Repositioning

Unlike Nairobi and other major towns that benefit from transit advantages, Siaya has had to take a deliberate approach. Through multi-agency steering groups supported by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, the county has crafted a clear, intentional roadmap to attract investors.

Energy and Industrial Growth

Siaya is being positioned as the future site for Kenya’s nuclear energy program a transformative step for industrialization. With energy being the decisive factor for investors, the promise of affordable, accessible, and reliable power opens opportunities in pharmaceutical manufacturing and large-scale industries.

Agriculture at the Center

Siaya is unlocking its rice potential, aiming to become the third-largest rice producer in Kenya and playing a key role in bridging the national rice deficit to reduce imports. The county also boasts the highest quality cotton in Kenya, and efforts are underway to revitalize this sector for value addition and export growth.

Blue Economy and Infrastructure

The blue economy is taking shape with a KSh 1.5 billion port under construction, designed to connect Kenya to Uganda and open regional trade corridors. These foundational investments are the building blocks required to position Siaya as a serious investment hub.

Matching Investors with Opportunities

SITICO 2025 is not just a showcase but a deal-making platform. With a dedicated Investor Day, participants will engage directly with projects, partnerships, and agreements designed to translate vision into action.

Invitation to Engage

The message is clear: Come, participate, engage in conversation, visit our pavilions, and see the opportunities Siaya offers.

From deep reflection to strategic preparation, SITICO 2025 is a statement of intent: to transform Siaya’s global recognition into real, transformative economic outcomes.