Nyeri County has a wide range of investment opportunities which are yet to be fully exploited.

The County Government of Nyeri under the stewardship of the H.E Governor Mutahi Kahiga has made every effort to create a conducive environment for conducting business in the county. 

Plans of organizing an investor’s conference this year are underway, a platform which will showcase business opportunities in the county. This will not only create more job opportunities but also improve the county’s economy. It is for this reason that you are welcomed to invest in this great county.

A. AGRICULTURE

Agriculture directly contributes 26% of Kenya’s annual GDP and another 25% indirectly. In Nyeri County, the docket currently employs 32.84% of the population. With an agricultural potential of 758.5 square kilometers of arable land, agribusiness is one of the main economic activities within the county.

• Coffee/Tea Value Addition

Opportunities for niche markets such as green tea, orthodox teas, ready to drink (juice tea) and organic tea for local and export consumption exist. Similarly, opportunities for coffee milling, blending, packaging and coffee specialties exist for both export and local consumption. Investing in the two value-chains, which have not been fully exploited, can be achieved by shifting to higher value-added activities within the chain, an expansion referred to as vertical process integration. 

• Milk Processing

Nyeri County annual milk production is over 113 Million litres per year and the number of dairy animals is over 172, 000. However, the county only has few institutions doing value-addition of milk to powdered milk, cheese, butter, ghee, yoghurt, ice-cream and flavored condensed milk which aids in reducing milk glut. 

• Contract Farming

There is an unexploited opportunity in contract farming to produce horticultural products for export e.g. vegetables and flowers. Other products that are suitable for contract farming include: herbs and spices, gadam sorghum for breweries, bakers, and flour blending, beekeeping and coffee farming. 

•  Feeds Manufacturing

 There exists an investment gap in the production of quality and affordable animal feeds. The objective is to enable farmers to have access to quality and affordable animal feeds thus reducing their production and operational costs and consequently improving their output. 

• Poultry Processing Plant

Value-addition through processing chicken to reduce the rudimentary form that is not ideal for human consumption is a crucial initiative. Chicken is widely consumed in many households, hotels, schools and restaurants. Nyeri County has a current poultry production of 100,000kgs per year.

• Avocado Processing/Packaging of Macadamia Nuts

There is a need for more investment in large-scale avocado production and value addition into finished products such as body oils. Nyeri is located in a strategic central location hence can facilitate transport of Avocadoes and Macadamias from Muranga, Kiambu, Meru, Kirinyaga, and Nyandarua Counties.

• Biofuels from Croton

Despite the fact that there is an already existing investment in biofuels from croton seeds in Nyeri County, the production is on small scale and it leaves a significant unexploited market for large scale production of biofuels from these seeds.

• Charcoal Briquettes using Agricultural Wastes

Using waste from coffee, macadamia and sawdust will encourage green business as well as play a role in environmental conservation. The products from such an investment would be in great demand in rural and urban areas as an alternative source of affordable energy. 

• Processing of Honey and Honey by-products

This business idea involves the processing of honey into refined products and by-products. Processing organic honey, manufacturing bee-keeping equipment, and promoting bee products is in high demand in developed markets.

• Meat Processing and Canning

Nyeri borders the ASAL counties which are a large source of live animals. It is also 52% Semi-Arid. Communities in these semi-arid regions mainly practice animal rearing. The location of the county makes it a feasible investment ground for meat processing and canning.

•  Fish Farming

The county has the potential to produce over 500,000 metric tons of fish annually. This can be achieved through promotion of cage fish farming, fish ponds and fish farming in dams. The county has one processing plant and there exists an opportunity to improve fish farming and processing through investing in modern equipment. 

• Food Consolidation Stores

In some other parts of the county, farming of similar products exists on a small scale. There exists an opportunity to construct food consolidation stores where all farmers can consolidate their produce hence enabling them to have a stronger bargaining power for better market prices.

B. ENERGY

Nyeri County is 52% Semi-Arid which implies that there is ample sunlight for solar energy production in the following areas:

• Renewable Energy Generation

Business opportunities exist for the generation of solar energy especially in Kieni areas.

• Photovoltaic Solar Assembly

Opportunities exist for the importation, assembly and sale of photovoltaic solar products.

• Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Storage & Refilling Plant

Kieni East and West sub-counties would offer better liquefied Natural Gas storage and refilling plants, which is high in demand, due to storage and refiling space which is safe. 

•  Petrol Refilling Stations and Service Centers

The increase in incomes and purchasing power is expected to occur as a result of completion of major projects around Nyeri which will lead to more employment opportunities. 

C. MANUFACTURING

Nyeri is a home to most agribusiness manufacturing plants. Nonetheless, it is a perfect investment location for the establishment of agro-chemical plants given the fact that most of its neighbouring counties are also agriculture based. There is also room for other unexplored manufacturing plants including agrochemicals, building equipment and spices processing. 

D. MINING

Mining is an upcoming economic frontier in the county. The government is focused on a housing program primarily using bricks made from both black soil and cement. As such, there’s a need to get on board and be part of the mining boom, a lucrative investment that provides an alternative and cheaper building technology. In addition, the availability of clay soil in parts of Nyeri County makes it a viable investment ground for the pottery making venture.

E. HEALTH

With the rising cases of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and prevalence of cancer the health sector creates a huge investment opportunity. 

• Gyms and Wellness Centers 

Wellness centers provide fitness, meditation and spa experience services. With a growing middle class, wellness centers are becoming profi table business opportunities for investors. 

• Medical Laboratory/ Imaging/ Medical Apparatus and Consumables 

There is an increased need for modern diagnostic labs and a supply of medical apparatus and equipment. 

• Private Hospitals & Funeral Homes 

The opportunities for private hospitals that offer specialized medical services, world class funeral homes and end of life care services is unexplored. Investors are invited to invest in particularly a Cancer hospital through Public Private Partnership (PPP) which would serve the central region at large. 

F. TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY

The Tourism and Hospitality sector is one that has been earmarked by the county government to spur economic growth. As such, investment opportunities are welcomed in an effort to achieve the vision of making Nyeri a globally competitive tourist destination. Some of the efforts done include mapping new hiking routes to Mount Kenya and Aberdare ranges efforts, geared towards increasing and attracting both local and foreign tourists. Other Hospitality establishments include: one-stop stations, coffee shops, themed restaurants e.g Halal restaurants, Indian restaurants, javas, fast foods among others. The County also has investment opportunities in the subsectors of: 

• Amusement parks & leisure gardens to provide areas for team building, and family events. 
• Conference and convention centres for meetings, incentive conferences, tele- conferencing, congresses, expositions, conventions and exhibitions. 
• Sports clubs with indoor and outdoor games, heated swimming pools, spa, saunas & Jacuzzi and a clubhouse with entertainment where members can unwind. 
• Curios and Handicraft Shops which offer the following services, information center, refreshment joints, and stop overs for souvenirs and gift shops. 
• Art galleries which would include a talent academy where locals would be trained on dances such as ballerina, salsa, drama, elocutions, film making. Other opportunities include a recording studio, an art gallery, music school, museums, libraries and music academies

G. EDUCATION

Education sector is one key department with the leadership focused on improving education standards including supporting the 100% transition to CBC program by the National Government. With the growing population, mostly consisting of middle income earners, in Nyeri, there’s a need for creation of more ECDE centres, primary and secondary schools which off er quality education. Further, there is need for a Skill Development Centre that can organize various courses under one roof, 1.e, cooking, music, arts painting, language and anything that helps people to improve their skills and market.

H. ICT 

With the world rapidly evolving from traditional to digital mainstreams, there’s a need to infuse technology in our organizations. Nyeri being an up and coming town has an unexploited market for investors interested in this venture. Investors should consider exploiting the market development and hosting of websites, web development and design related services and products for upcoming and existing organizations in the region.

I. FINANCIAL AND INSURANCE SERVICES

The specific sectors include; dairy farming, manufacturing, tea and coffee, and contract farming. There also exists a large opportunity for microfinance lending especially focusing on Micro and Small enterprises.

J. TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS

Warehouses can be used by manufacturers, importers, exporters, wholesalers, transport businesses and customs and Nyeri’s strategic position makes it an ideal location for establishment of warehouses. Taxi services are always in high demand hence, a perfect business opportunity for potential investors.

K. REAL ESTATE AND INFRASTRUCTURE

With the rapid growth of income earners and students, there remains a huge unexploited market within the real estate sector for investment. Nyeri is also in need of both low cost housing and gated communities, for students, executives and senior managers in town to meet the demands of a growing workforce from both governments as well as the private sector.

L. MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK

This investment opportunity will help decongest the central business district in Nyeri while at the same time generating profits for investors. Other Business Opportunities include: Motor vehicle service centres, manufacture of Bamboo products and wood seasoning.