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East Africa’s retail boom: a new opportunity for real estate

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Rising consumer demand has led to the development of strong local retail brands and the emergence of international brands—all seeking to capitalise on this growing customer base

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 3, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Retail is emerging among the most vibrant sectors of the East African economy. Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi, has not only become an important retail market in its own right but a stepping stone into the rest of the country and wider East Africa. Nairobi is a rising regional shopping destination, the headquarters to many regional retail and food and beverage (F&B) businesses, and a launchpad for retail concepts into other East African areas.

It is believed that urbanisation, a growing middle class and the rise of digital connectivity are boosting the retail sector in Nairobi, according to a consensus of thought leaders participating in the 11th annual East Africa Property Investment (EAPI) Summit Retail Forum, which takes place on the second day of the event to be held on 17 and 18 April 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Digitally savvy middle-class Kenyans are demanding local brand experiences that align with what they see regionally, continentally and internationally, and are boosting the retail sector in Nairobi. Rising consumer demand has led to the development of strong local retail brands and the emergence of international brands—all seeking to capitalise on this growing customer base.

As a key sector of the property industry, retail is crucial to the growth of a prosperous and thriving real estate market. For this reason, retail and F&B will take centre stage at the #EAPI2024 Retail Forum, hosted in Partnership with Village Market, Knight Frank and CBRE Excellerate. The unique platform for East Africa’s retail sector to meet and connect with the region’s leading landlords, brokers, financiers, advisory teams and more will play a part in shaping Africa’s most exciting retail market and exploring regional and global trends.

Ryan Pape, Country Manager at CBRE Excellerate Kenya, notes that Nairobi’s infrastructural improvements and private sector investment have opened the playing field to both local and international retailers and F&B chains.

Nairobi’s infrastructural improvements and private sector investment has opened up the playing field to both local and international retailers and F&B chainsWe see increased public and private investment into roads, rail, shopping malls, convenience malls, cold chains and distribution centres, to name just a few areas.”

Hooman Ehsani, Director of New Developments, Greenhills Investment Limited, which built the Village Market Shopping & Recreation Complex in Nairobi and took it through five expansions, including Tribe Hotel, believes that well-positioned brands with the right product mix would do well to open a store in Nairobi.

“The Nairobi F&B scene has become considerably more vibrant and appealing over the last couple of years, with the success of some newer entrants catalysing more creativity and energy, and encouraging more entrepreneurs to venture into the space. Similarly, on the retail side, we’ve seen a significant spike in interest as business owners aim to meet a growing appetite, especially for locally produced fashion, home furnishings and beauty services.”

Ehsani adds, “Nairobi is now achieving a level of comfortable balance between retail space in the right locations and better-quality retailers with the right products for the market. There is renewed confidence within the business community and increased optimism around stability and growth opportunities.”

Nairobi is now achieving a level of comfortable balance between retail space in the right locations and better-quality retailers with the right products for the market

Wambui Mbarire, CEO at RETRAK Kenya, reports that the biggest recent change in the market is the increased diversity of retail partners to rent the newly developed spaces. “Whereas historically, there were one or two potential tenants with the capacity to rent prime retail real estate, the growth of the sector has seen more options available to landlords.”

Mbarire notes that Nairobi, with its diversity and cosmopolitan nature, is a great place to test and tweak brands for launch into other Kenyan and East African towns and cities. “The urbanisation that we are seeing countrywide is also providing retail property players with additional locations outside of the traditional Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu axis. Good examples of this include Nakuru, Eldoret, Naivasha as well as Kajiado, Kitengela, Kiambu, Limuru, Thika and Ngong.”

Mark Dunford, CEO at Knight Frank Kenya, states, “Nairobi’s retail, food, and beverage sector is experiencing a dynamic growth surge, driven by the strategic expansion of both local and international retailers. This growth is a result of the city’s increasing urbanisation and consumer spending, which have been supported by private equity investments. The burgeoning retail landscape offers lucrative opportunities for both investors and retail brands. As Nairobi’s status continues to grow into a prominent hub, it offers investment prospects for stakeholders in the retail property sector and capital investors. This is largely attributed to a boost in investor confidence, fuelled by government-led infrastructure projects and the growing allure for international retail entities.

In today’s market, establishing a presence in Nairobi is exceptionally attractive for retail brands. The city’s upgraded infrastructure, combined with the robust growth of both local and multinational retailers, cements its position as one of the premier retail markets in Africa.

Murray Anderson-Ogle, GM of Marketing and Commercial at API Events, adds“Kenya is a key market with many successful local homegrown retail brands, including those operating in the vibrant F&B arena, and it has the clear potential to be an African retail real estate powerhouse.”

All agree that the surging retail market requires a platform to connect with its real estate stakeholders, and the EAPI Retail Forum answers this need. #EAPI2024 Retail Forum is exclusively in-person at Radisson Blu, Upper Hill, Nairobi. 

“The understanding of this market’s changing needs that will be provided at the EAPI Retail Forum is beneficial to landowners, developers, investors, and property professionals alike,” highlights Pape.

“EAPI has been at the leading edge of the conversation around property trends in the region, and investment in retail and F&B operations has become a significant part of the investor interest,” says Ehsani.

Mbarire concludes, “This is the natural progression of the market, and establishing the EAPI Retail Forum now will ensure participation in one of the most vibrant sectors of the East African economy.

The Retail Forum of the 11th East Africa Property Investment Summitt will take place on 18 April 2024 at Radisson Blu, Upper Hill, Nairobi, Kenya. For more information and to book to attend the EAPI Summit visit https://EAPISummit.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of API Events.

Energy

Venezuela Energy Week Confirms 19 August Date for Houston Industry Showcase

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Officially supported by Venezuela’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons and national oil company PDVSA, the Houston Industry Showcase will take place on 19 August, convening U.S. energy leaders ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas

HOUSTON, United States of America, August 10, 2026/APO Group/ –The organizers of Venezuela Energy Week (VEW) have confirmed that the Houston Industry Showcase will take place on 19 August 2026 at The Post Oak Hotel. Officially supported by Venezuela’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons and national oil company PDVSA, the event will bring together U.S. energy companies, investors and policymakers to explore commercial opportunities ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas in February.

The showcase will feature Minister of Hydrocarbons Paula Henao as a keynote speaker, providing an update on Venezuela’s energy priorities, investment agenda and opportunities for international partnership. Her participation underscores the country’s commitment to strengthening engagement with global industry as it seeks to expand production and unlock new upstream investment.

Bringing together exploration and production companies, independent operators, oilfield service providers, engineering firms, technology companies and financial institutions, the Houston Industry Showcase will examine opportunities across exploration, production optimization, infrastructure rehabilitation and field development.

As Venezuela works to increase oil and gas production, demand is expected to grow for the technical expertise of U.S. service providers in drilling, well intervention, completion services, production optimization, artificial lift, digital oilfield technologies and infrastructure rehabilitation. Houston-based industry leaders – including SLB, Halliburton, Baker Hughes, Weatherford and a broad network of EPC contractors, equipment manufacturers and specialized service companies – are well positioned to support the modernization of mature fields, improve operational efficiency and deliver the technologies and services needed for future upstream projects.

The Houston event follows a successful Industry Showcase in London, which brought together international investors, operators and energy service companies to explore Venezuela’s evolving investment landscape. Building on that momentum, the Houston edition will deepen engagement with the U.S. energy industry and strengthen commercial dialogue ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027.

Venezuela Energy Week – the country’s largest energy investment platform to date – has been confirmed for 22–25 February 2027 in Caracas. Organized by Energy Capital & Power, the event will bring together government leaders, investors and industry stakeholders from across the global energy value chain.

To register for the Houston Industry Showcase on August 19, visit https://apo-opa.co/4g0TncR. To learn more about delegate, sponsorship and partnership opportunities for the showcase or to secure your place at Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas, contact info@venezuelaenergyweek.com.

Supporting Venezuela’s Earthquake Recovery
Our thoughts are with the people and communities affected by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela. As the country begins the long process of recovery, we encourage members of the global energy community to support relief and reconstruction efforts through the CAF Recovery and Reconstruction Fund for Venezuela, which channels contributions from individuals, companies and organizations to emergency assistance, essential services and long-term rebuilding efforts.

To learn more or make a contribution, please visit the CAF Recovery and Reconstruction Fund for Venezuela (https://apo-opa.co/4hkvteE).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) Secures New Patent for Smart Stabilization System from Intellectual Property Office of Singapore

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The Smart Stabilization System is a pioneering digital market infrastructure designed to stabilize asset markets by intelligently managing supply-demand gaps and mitigating excessive volatility

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, August 10, 2026/APO Group/ –The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) (https://IsDBInstitute.org) is pleased to announce that the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) has granted a new patent for its innovative Smart Stabilization System.

 

The patent was granted on 10 July 2026 under Singapore Patent No. 10202250873B for the invention titled “A Computer Network Stabilization System and Method.” The patent application was filed on 1 September 2022 and was formally granted following a comprehensive review process.

This achievement reflects our commitment to translating pioneering research into practical solutions that contribute to economic resilience and sustainable development

The Smart Stabilization System is a pioneering digital market infrastructure designed to stabilize asset markets by intelligently managing supply-demand gaps and mitigating excessive volatility. Leveraging sophisticated algorithms and advanced simulation models, the system is designed to anticipate supply and demand imbalances and implement programmable stabilization measures before they escalate into market disruptions.

Unlike traditional stabilization mechanisms that rely on capital reserves, buffer funds, or external interventions, the Smart Stabilization System introduces a next-generation framework for achieving autonomous market stabilization through proactive and programmed stabilization mechanisms. By incorporating distributed ledger technology and cryptographic trust mechanisms, the platform enhances transparency, trust, and operational resilience for digital asset and commodity markets.

The successful patent grant reflects IsDBI’s growing contribution to technological innovation and its commitment to developing knowledge-based solutions that address contemporary economic and development challenges.

Since filing the patent application back in 2022, the Institute has continued to advance the Smart Stabilization System through ongoing development and testing, aimed to expand its practical applications and support future capitalization opportunities. These advancements have positioned the system as a potentially transformative solution for enhancing stability and resilience in increasingly digital and interconnected economies.

Commenting on this occasion, Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of IsDBI, said, “The grant of this patent by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore further strengthens the Institute’s position as a leader in developing innovative knowledge-based solutions that leverage modern technologies to address complex development challenges. This achievement reflects our commitment to translating pioneering research into practical solutions that contribute to economic resilience and sustainable development.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI).

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Liberia to Preview Next Oil & Gas Licensing Round Strategy at Houston Investor Day

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The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority will host operators, investors and partners in Houston on August 19 to preview future licensing opportunities and showcase the exploration potential of its offshore basins

HOUSTON, United States of America, August 7, 2026/APO Group/ –The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA) will present its strategy for the country’s next offshore licensing round at Liberia Investor Day Houston on August 19, bringing together international exploration companies, investors, service providers and energy leaders to discuss the next phase of Liberia’s upstream development.

Hosted in partnership with Energy Capital & Power, the event will provide a platform for the LPRA, led by Director General Hon. Marilyn T. Logan, to outline Liberia’s regulatory framework, investment priorities and plans to attract new participation across the country’s offshore sector. Discussions will focus on upcoming licensing opportunities, exploration prospects and the subsurface data supporting future investment decisions.

Liberia’s offshore sector is entering a new phase of exploration activity, with renewed international participation and a growing pipeline of opportunities. Following the award and ratification of eight Production Sharing Contracts in 2025, Liberia has re-established itself as a frontier exploration destination, with international operators advancing work programs designed to further evaluate the country’s petroleum potential. TotalEnergies is progressing exploration activities that include offshore geochemical surveys, 3D seismic acquisition and seabed mapping, while Oranto Petroleum has also signed contracts to explore Liberia’s offshore.

At the Liberia Investor Day Houston, the LPRA will provide industry stakeholders with insight into the priorities shaping the next licensing round, including the anticipated process, qualification requirements, available acreage and access to technical data. The engagement will give prospective investors a clearer view of Liberia’s exploration landscape and the opportunities emerging across its offshore basins.

The event will also facilitate direct dialogue between LPRA and the global upstream community, connecting companies with policymakers and industry stakeholders involved in shaping Liberia’s next chapter of petroleum development.

As exploration companies continue to seek new frontier opportunities, Liberia Investor Day Houston will highlight the role of regulatory certainty, data availability and strategic partnerships in unlocking long-term investment across Liberia’s offshore sector.

Registration is now open for attendees. Companies interested in Liberia’s emerging offshore opportunities are invited to join LPRA, investors and upstream leaders in Houston for insights into the country’s licensing strategy and exploration outlook. For more information contact info@energycapitalpower.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

 

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