Kenya pitches clean energy hub to Belgian investors for geothermal-powered manufacturing and trade

President William Ruto urged Belgian firms to build manufacturing plants in Kenya powered by geothermal and other renewables, aiming to raise bilateral trade from $335 million to $1 billion by 2030. The pitch leverages Europe's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, which favors lower-carbon production, and Kenya's EU duty-free access under the Economic Partnership Agreement. Priority sectors include agribusiness, logistics, tech, and clean energy, with a new Kenya-Benelux Chamber of Commerce to support the push. Kenya generates over 90 percent of its electricity from renewables, with geothermal at nearly 40 percent of the mix. This gives the country a clear edge for energy-intensive industries exporting to Europe. Ruto also highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area, giving investors access to a $3.4 trillion market. For the carbon and clean energy community, the story shows how policy incentives like CBAM are driving real investment decisions in African renewable hubs.