List Of Business Personalities Who Visited Kenya In 2023

• The year 2023 saw many world leaders and business personalities visit Kenya, some attending major events like the Kenya Innovation Week
• International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva visited Kenya in May 2023, promising the country economic support
• Kenya Innovation Week 2023 was presided over by Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland in November 2023

TUKO.co.ke journalist Wycliffe Musalia brings over five years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

In 2023, Kenya received many world and business personalities.

Many companies and businesses reported a slump in their activities during the year due to the tough economic environment.

According to the Federation of Kenya Employers (KFE), many businesses decried increased operational costs and reduced demand due to increased taxation.

However, this did not stop investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders from coming to the country.

The majority of them came during major events like the Africa Climate Summit 2023 and the Kenya Innovation Week.

Below is a list of business leaders who visited Kenya in 2023.

1. Ngozi Okonjo

Ngozi Okonjo is the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director General.

Ngozi visited the country in May 2023, where she met with several government officials, including Treasury CS Njuguna Ndung'u and President William Ruto.

"Kudos to African MSME’s in the digital space trying to break into world markets! Met with some impressive entrepreneurs in Nairobi!" tweeted Ngozi after meeting entrepreneurs at the Africa SME conference in Nairobi.

2. Patricia Scotland

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland was in the country during the Kenya Innovation Week in November 2023.

“Kenya Innovation Week is so special because it is a unique opportunity to combine the Commonwealth’s capabilities and pool our power. In the spirit of partnership, which is fit for our age, together we can push the boundaries of what is possible, and step closer to the future we dream of: a secure future, a resilient future, an exciting future,” said Scotland.

The inaugural Commonwealth Edition conference signified a pivotal moment in advancing innovation across the Commonwealth.

3. Kristalina Georgieva

In May 2023, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) set conditions for Kenya to secure funding for its economic development.

This is the time IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva visited the country.

Georgieva met Ruto's administration and IMF mission officers in the country, promising to support the country.

4. American YouTuber MrBeast

American YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson, aka MrBeast, touched the lives of over 500,000 Kenyans in ways they will remember forever.

The philanthropist visited Kenya, dug 52 wells in different villages across the country, and donated computers to needy schools in 2023.

MrBeast is one of the highest-earning YouTubers in the world, having made KSh 8 billion in 2022 from advertising and sponsorship deals.

5. Veneranda Masoum

Taifa Gas Managing Director Venerands Masoum was in Kenya during the launch of the cooking gas in February 2023.

The Tanzania-based firm set base at Ndongo Kundu, Mombasa County as it aimed to make LPG affordable in Kenya.

"The project we are starting today doe not only aim to make LPG affordable, but to provide employment and income to many families in this country," Masoum said.

World leaders who visited Kenya in 2023

In 2023, President Ruto hosted various foreign heads of state, where he signed several bilateral agreements.

Among those who visited the country were King Charles and Queen Camila, who was given a royal welcome.

Iran President Ebrahim Rais made his first trip to Kenya as an Iranian president in more than a decade.