Stockbrokers head to London to woo Kenyan Diaspora

By Fredrick Obura

Members of the Kenya Association of Stockbrokers and Investment Banks (Kasib) will participate in an investment expo in London to woo Kenyans in the Diaspora to invest at the Nairobi Stock Exchange.

The Kenya Diaspora Investment Expo 2010, set to take place between October 1-3, seeks to expose investment opportunities across key sectors like construction, energy, and technology to the Diaspora The expo will also showcase opportunities in engineering, health, security, agriculture, tourism, education and legal services.

Kasib Chairman, Michael Gichohi, said the association had been encouraged by the rise in the number of Kenyans interested in investing in the local markets, but had previously not had an avenue to market opportunities available.

The expo comes as members of the East African Community edge closer after the operationalisation of the common market protocol in July.

Kenyan stockbrokers and investment banks are spreading their wings in the region, opening up new branches in Uganda, Tanzania, and as far as Rwanda, in a bid to tap into the expanded market, and boosting bourses all around the EAC.

The Kenya High Commission in London has organised the event in partnership with Kenya Overseas Business Alliance, Kenya Investment Authority and Brand Kenya Board.

The expo would bring together investors in the Diaspora, Kenyan business community, Government departments, and financial institutions.