Singapore eyes Nairobi as gateway to Asia-Africa trade and green investment

Singapore is intensifying its focus on Nairobi as a strategic anchor for strengthening trade, innovation, and green investment ties between Asia and Africa.

Ahead of the Africa-Singapore Business Forum (ASBF) set for August 26–28 in Singapore, officials from Enterprise Singapore, a government agency under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, underscored Nairobi’s growing role as a launchpad for regional growth.

“Nairobi is East Africa’s financial, maritime, and technology hub. It offers the ideal environment for Singaporean companies looking to expand sustainably,” said Rahul Ghosh, Enterprise Singapore’s Director for the Middle East and Africa, during a briefing in Nairobi.

Since establishing its Nairobi office in 2018, the agency has helped Singaporean firms enter the African market while also positioning Singapore as a bridge for African enterprises eyeing Asia.

Liane Ng, Enterprise Singapore’s Regional Director for East Africa, said nearly 40 percent of Singapore’s trade with East Africa flows through Kenya. She noted a rising number of African businesses seeking to diversify into Asia, with Singapore offering an ideal platform through its global connectivity and innovation-driven ecosystem.

Singapore’s partnership with Kenya has already taken root in sectors such as digital trade, logistics, manufacturing, hospitality, and financial services. The approach focuses on co-developing local solutions rather than simply exporting products.

Several Singaporean firms are already active in Kenya, including fintechs, FMCG manufacturers, engineering consultancies, and companies supporting backend digital services. These businesses have invested in research, infrastructure, and talent, tailoring their offerings to meet local needs.

Beyond trade, Singapore is also pursuing green partnerships with Kenya to co-develop sustainability projects in areas such as regenerative agriculture and electric mobility. These initiatives aim to generate carbon credits under the forthcoming Article 6 agreement on climate cooperation between the two nations.

“Kenya is far ahead on climate leadership. We want to co-invest in green projects that benefit local communities and contribute to both countries' net-zero targets,” said Ghosh.

The collaboration will involve technology transfer, technical expertise, and financing from Singaporean companies, with carbon credits generated in Kenya potentially supporting Singapore’s own decarbonisation goals.

Ghosh emphasized that Singapore’s investment model focuses on long-term value creation, rather than competing through tax breaks. Instead, the country invests in infrastructure, clear regulatory frameworks, and tailored technical training to build resilient businesses ready for global scale.

The changing global trade landscape has made Africa a central player in supply chain diversification. With geopolitical shifts disrupting traditional trade routes, Singapore views Kenya as a key node for regional production and consumption.

Ng noted that Singaporean companies are increasingly choosing Kenya as a base to serve Africa’s growing domestic demand, citing the country’s stability, strategic location, and skilled workforce.

With over $20 billion invested in 40 African countries and more than 100 Singaporean companies operating across the continent, Singapore ranks among Africa’s top ten investors.

The upcoming ASBF will bring together between 500 and 700 delegates from Africa and Asia. Organisers stress that the forum is not limited to large corporations but is open to startups, SMEs, and established firms seeking partnerships.

“This is not just a trade fair, it’s a platform for building relationships and scaling real opportunities,” said Ng.

As ties between Nairobi and Singapore deepen, both countries are banking on shared values of openness, innovation, and resilience to shape the next chapter of Asia-Africa cooperation.