Summit Program

Check-in + Networking + EXPO

Coffee, breakfast, and early networking. Expo open throughout the day, showcasing U.S. and East African companies and investment opportunities across all summit themes.

Opening Remarks

Welcoming remarks from:

Leadership Dialogue

Advancing the U.S.–Kenya Trade and Investment Partnership

The United States and Kenya share one of the region’s most significant commercial relationships. As both governments deepen engagement on trade, investment, and economic cooperation, this conversation will examine the policies and priorities shaping the next phase of the partnership. The discussion will explore how businesses can capitalize on opportunities in investment, manufacturing, digital trade, supply chains, creative economy, critical minerals and regional market integration, while positioning Kenya as a gateway to East Africa and the AfCFTA market.

Topic: AmCham – EY Economic Impact of American Tech Companies in Kenya

Strategic Dialogue

Building East Africa’s Digital Economy: From Digital-First Reform to Regional Competitiveness

East Africa’s digital transformation will be defined not by technology alone, but by the policy choices that enable it. This session explores how governments and the private sector can sequence digital-first reforms to accelerate investment in cloud infrastructure, AI compute, data centres, digital payments, and connectivity. The discussion will examine the regulatory, infrastructure, and cross-border frameworks required to build a competitive regional digital economy, strengthen innovation ecosystems, and position East Africa as a preferred destination for digital investment and technology-enabled growth.

Keynote

Topic: Transforming Health Systems for Better Outcomes

As East African health systems face rising demand and constrained resources, digital technologies are becoming essential to improving efficiency, expanding access, and strengthening service delivery. This keynote explores how U.S. innovation, from AI and cloud computing to digital health platforms, data analytics, and interoperable health systems, can help governments and healthcare providers deliver more efficient, resilient, and patient-centred care.

Fireside Chat

Topic: Delivering Universal Health Coverage

Kenya’s UHC push is reshaping demand for health services, infrastructure, and financing. This session focuses on private investment’s role in the Kenya’s UHC system – financing models, PPP structures, reimbursement certainty, and how U.S. capital is shaping scalable health systems across the region.

Strategic Dialogue

Building East Africa’s Health Economy

Health is becoming a growth industry in East Africa, driven by manufacturing, technology, and service innovation. This session looks at where U.S.–East Africa health cooperation turns into viable investment: pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing, medical devices, digital health platforms, and the financing and data governance that determine scale – building on decades of U.S. health leadership now shifting toward commercially viable ecosystems.

• Breakout Room A

  The Creative Industries – IP, Platforms, and Capital

  Knowledge Partner: Africa Practice

  1. 10 minutes

     Keynote

     Topic: African Stories on Global Platforms – IP Rights, Revenue, and Global Value Capture

     Africa’s creative and entertainment industries are scaling globally, but ownership and revenue often sit elsewhere. This address reframes the creative economy as an investable asset class and shows that the real constraint is systems, not talent: infrastructure, IP ownership, licensing norms, and revenue repatriation.

     Speaker

     • Nicky Weinstock, CEO/President, Invention Studios
  2. 50 minutes

     Strategic Dialogue

     Topic: Creative Industries as Investable Assets

     U.S. capital is active in Africa’s creative industries, but selectively. This dialogue looks at how sports, music, and film function as asset classes – what investors want in scale, governance, IP clarity, and predictable revenue – and why most creative projects fail to attract repeat capital. Run as a structured agree/disagree exercise with card votes and a fishbowl discussion, it lands on prioritised policy asks and a shortlist of investable propositions, including multi-use venues, co-production structures, and franchise models.

     Speakers

     • Panos A. Panay, President, The Recording Academy
     • Clare Akamanzi, Chief Executive Officer, NBA Africa
     • Wakiuru Njuguna, Managing Director, HEVA Fund
     • Stephen Domingo, CEO and Founder, Okapi Sports
     • Peter Griffin, Senior Vice President of Venues, Live Nation

     Facilitator: Richard Kiplagat, Managing Director, Africa Practice

  3. 20 minutes

     The Candid Conversation

     Format: Moderated audience engagement

     Purpose: A structured discussion surfacing hard truths across contracting, financing, platform negotiations, and regulation. Creators, investors, and policymakers address misalignment openly and identify where reform, standardization, or market discipline is required.

• Oak Room

  The American Tech Stack Roundtable

  Knowledge Partner: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

  Topic: Advancing Kenya’s Digital Transformation through America’s Technology, Strategic Partnership and Local Capability

  A high-level executive roundtable convening senior government leaders and leading U.S. technology companies to advance Kenya’s digital transformation agenda. The session will explore integrated solutions across cloud infrastructure, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data governance, digital public infrastructure, and enterprise technologies, while fostering strategic dialogue on policy, investment, and innovation. Designed as an action-oriented engagement, the roundtable will identify opportunities for public-private collaboration, showcase scalable American technology solutions, and strengthen partnerships that accelerate Kenya’s digital economy and long-term competitiveness.

  1. Opening Remarks

     • Shezaad Sunderji, Vice President, Issuing, Acceptance & Digital Solutions for East Africa and Indian Ocean Islands, Mastercard
     • David Bunei, Managing Director, Oracle Kenya

  2. Keynote Address

     • Eng. John Tanui, Principal Secretary, State Department for ICT and Digital Economy

  3. Policy Setting

     • Amb. Philip Thigo (Moderator) Special Envoy on Technology for the Republic of Kenya, the Executive Office of the President
     • Mark Mitchell, United States Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce
     • Heather Lanigan, Regional Director for Africa and the Middle East, U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA)
     • Sec. Mary Kerema, Secretary ICT, E-Government and Digital Economy, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy
     • Jane Munga, Fellow, Africa Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

  4. Discussants

     • Michael Murungi, Government Affairs & Public Policy Lead, Eastern Africa, Google
     • David Bunei, Managing Director, Oracle Kenya
     • Angela Ng’ang’a, Country Lead East Africa, Microsoft
     • Mike Mutungi, Chairman, The Association of Start-ups & SME Enablers of Kenya (ASSEK)
     • Dr. Ibrahim Abduba, Business Development Director, Africa, Oracle
     • Pressy Akinyi, Policy Lead, American Chamber of Commerce
     • Robert Nyamu, Partner & Technology Consulting Leader, EY

     Other senior executives and representatives and leading U.S. technology companies.

• Breakout Room B

  US-Kenya Health Co-operation Framework Forum

  Knowledge Partner: Africa Health Business

  A high-level forum convening leaders from Kenya’s Ministry of Health, the U.S. Government, development partners, investors, healthcare innovators, and the American private sector to accelerate implementation of the U.S.–Kenya Health Cooperation Framework. The session will explore opportunities to strengthen health systems, advance local manufacturing, scale digital health innovation, and mobilize investment through strategic public-private partnerships.

  1. Strategic Dialogue

     From Health Cooperation to Co-Investment: Building a Self-Reliant, Investment-Ready Health System

  2. Setting the Context

     Opening remarks from key stakeholders highlighting Kenya’s health transformation agenda, the role of international partnerships, and the opportunities for collaboration between government, industry, and investors.

     Speaker

     • Dr. Ouma Oluga, Principal Secretary, State Department for Medical Services

  3. Discussion

     A high-level discussion on translating the U.S.–Kenya Health Cooperation Framework into tangible outcomes through sustainable financing, local manufacturing, stronger regulatory systems, and private-sector investment.

  4. Key Discussion Areas

     • Kenya’s implementation priorities under the Health Cooperation Framework.
     • Transitioning toward greater domestic financing and long-term sustainability.
     • SHA and Taifa Care reforms and their implications for health financing.
     • Opportunities in local pharmaceutical and medical-device manufacturing.
     • Strengthening PPB and health product approval processes.
     • Regulatory reforms required to attract and retain investment.
     • Kenya’s ambition to become a regional health and life-sciences hub.

     Central Question: What will it take to transform the U.S.–Kenya Health Cooperation Framework into a platform for sustainable investment, local manufacturing, and resilient health-product supply chains?

  5. Discussants

     • Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, Chief Executive Officer, Social Health Authority (SHA)
     • Dr. Ali Arale, Director, Health Products and Technologies

     Moderator: Dr. Amit Thakker, Founder and Executive Chairman, Africa Health Business

• Breakout Room C

  Building the Digital Backbone of Kenya’s Health System

  1. Strategic Dialogue

  2. Setting the Context

     Opening remarks from key stakeholders highlighting Kenya’s health transformation agenda, the role of international partnerships, and the opportunities for collaboration between government, industry, and investors.

     Speaker

     • Heidi O’Bra, Head, Office of Foreign Assistance, Health, U.S. Embassy Nairobi

  3. Discussion

     A discussion on the role of digital transformation, health technology, and innovation in building a more connected, efficient, and patient-centred healthcare system.

  4. Key Discussion Areas

     • Investment opportunities in healthcare technology infrastructure.
     • U.S. innovation, technology, and private-sector capabilities.
     • Building interoperable digital health systems.
     • Responsible use of health data and strengthening trust frameworks.
     • Opportunities for technology partnerships to accelerate Kenya’s health transformation agenda.

     Central Question: How can Kenya build a trusted, interoperable, and commercially sustainable digital health ecosystem that improves patient outcomes while creating opportunities for technology investment?

  5. Discussants

     • Eng. Anthony Lenaiyara, CEO, Digital Health Agency
     • Shain Rahim, Country Manager and Regional Leader East Africa, Cisco

Keynote

Topic: Building Strategic Critical Mineral Partnerships: East Africa’s Role in Securing the Future of Global Supply Chains

As the United States and its partners seek to diversify critical mineral supply chains, East Africa is emerging as a strategic source of the minerals needed to power the global energy transition and advanced manufacturing. This keynote will examine how Kenya, and the wider region are positioning themselves as trusted investment destinations through policy reform, regional cooperation, responsible resource governance, and value addition. The discussion will explore the role of government in creating an enabling environment that attracts long-term capital while ensuring that critical mineral development drives industrialization, regional competitiveness, and shared economic prosperity

Strategic Dialogue

Building Critical Minerals Value Chains

Topic: East Africa’s Critical Minerals Value Chain: Opportunities for Private Sector Investment and National Beneficiation

East African markets play a significant role in the establishment of new global value chains for critical minerals, rare earths, metals, and infrastructure. The US is driving unprecedented change in critical supply chains through project finance innovation, industry development, shaping policy discussions, and forging new diplomatic relationship under the banner of global resource security. This discussion will center on the opportunities and contours of this new value chain which emphasizes beneficiation, local processing in East Africa, infrastructure development, and technological innovation. This panel integrates mining leaders, US and Kenyan policymakers, and experts in critical resource technology to initiate actionable pathways and strategies to increase market participation in emerging value chains.