The annual Diaspora homecoming convention is set to take place on the 7th to 9th of December 2022 at Ole Sereni Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya.
This year’s convention dubbed Kenya Diaspora Alliance Homecoming is set around the Theme: Inclusive Growth – Leveraging Diaspora Resources.
The Convention is the annual premier event that brings together the largest assembly of diaspora, business leaders, opinion shapers, government representatives, industry, and academia.
There will be several sessions spread across the 3 days. The sessions seek to deepen conversations around Smart/Secure Investments, Project Finance, Trade Finance, Diaspora Cooperatives, Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), Rural/Cottage Industries, ‘Mama Mboga’ Diaspora Fund, Creative Industries, Agribusiness, Green Energy, IT-enabled services (ITES), Affordable Housing, Climate Smart Fund, Health/COVID-19 Interventions, Traditional Foods & Medicines, and Emerging Opportunities like AfCFTA, Blue Economy, Natural Resource Management, etc. Some of these are critical in the attainment of the UN SDGs, AU’s Agenda 2063, and the Kenya Government’s long-term vision.
The Convention offers a platform to facilitate consultative, immersive interaction between the diaspora and other stakeholders, and creates awareness of investment opportunities (both at national and county levels), in line with government plans and policies (e.g. the National Diaspora Policy, Big 4 Agenda and Vision 2030).
Chairman of the Kenya Diaspora Alliance Dr. Shem Ochuodho has announced that the conference will be seeking to explore ways in which the Government can bolster diaspora remittances and investment opportunities in the country.
“Kenyans living abroad are set to engage the Government on new investment opportunities and how to create jobs for Kenyans who are at home and abroad,” said Dr. Ochuodho.
The leadership of the alliance has exuded confidence in the Kenya Kwanza regime’s creation of a diaspora portfolio. Through an upcoming investment conference to be held next month, Dr. Ochuodho explained they are championing a mind shift, negative African narrative and advocating for respect, building business partnerships on a win-win basis, and bringing back Africa into their rightful place in geopolitics and international trade.
“We are focusing on a cordial working relationship between the new Government and Kenyans in the diaspora because there are numerous investment opportunities that are yet to be tapped,” Dr. Ochuodho added.
Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Alfred Mutua is expected to engage with Kenyans living abroad in the convention to deepen the ministry’s relationship with the diaspora, as many have over the last decades felt alienated from the foreign affairs ministry. Other government officials are also expected to be in attendance.
