Business summit to showcase Eastleigh as business and investment hub

Ark Media CEO Ahmed Mohammed who has organised the 2nd Eastleigh Business Summit slated for Saturday in Eastleigh High School. More than 300 business delegates are expected to participate.

A business summit to showcase Nairobi’s Eastleigh suburb as a growing business and investment hub in Kenya and East Africa region will take place on Saturday.

The summit, bringing together at least 300 business delegates, will discuss ways of enhancing the investment and business climate in the suburb that contributes significantly to the country’s economy. The summit’s keynote speaker will be National Assembly majority leader Aden Duale.

“The Summit aims to explore the realities of doing business in Eastleigh and provide a platform for frank debate on effective strategies for sustaining Eastleigh’s positive momentum,” said Ahmed Mohammed, CEO of Ark Media, which has organised the summit.

He added: “We urge the national and county government to enhance business environment through further investments in infrastructure and security. Eastleigh’s contribution to the economy will grow quickly if it is nurtured well.”

Entrepreneurs, managers and investors from across Eastleigh and the country at large, will share their insights on the strategies of building sustainable businesses.

The summit, that will take place at Eastleigh High School, will also enable participating businesses educate stakeholders on the opportunities and challenges offered by the area. This is the second time the business summit is being held in Eastleigh.

Mr Mohammed said the summit also targets investors looking to start a business in Eastleigh, expand a current venture, or better understand the latest Eastleigh market trends and build business networks.

“We want to debunk the negative perceptions of Eastleigh that have been built over the years. This will enable the area attract more business and investors,” he said.

The summit will culminate in an Eastleigh Awards ceremony in which business leaders making a positive impact in creating jobs and giving back to the community will be recognised.

Among the businesses participating in this year’s summit include Money transfer firm Dahabshiil, Safaricom, Kenya Power, Kenya Pipeline company, furniture manufacture Ally Baba and health provider Ladnan Hospital among others.

It is estimated that Eastleigh hosts investments worth billions of shillings and contributes at least 30 per cent of taxes collected by Nairobi County.

The recent months have seen the improvement of economic fortunes of Eastleigh, including the construction of roads as well as the relocation of hawkers from the streets.

 However, poor garbage collection and insecurity incidences are yet to be addressed conclusively.