Linglong Tires Plans to Build Factory in Kenya

On January 17, 2025, Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto announced online that Linglong Tires, a leading Chinese tire manufacturer, plans to establish a factory in Kenya to serve the growing African market.

The announcement followed a meeting between President Ruto and Linglong Tires' senior executives in Nairobi. During the meeting, Linglong Tires' Chairman Wang Feng shared the company's investment plans. President Ruto commented, “Kenya continues to position itself as a preferred destination for foreign investment, offering a range of attractive incentives to bolster investor confidence. We welcome investors like Linglong Tires and will provide full support.”

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Investment, Trade, and Industry, Lee Kinyanjui, also attended the meeting, highlighting the potential impact of the project: “Linglong Tires’ factory will create hundreds of job opportunities for Kenya’s youth, which is vital for our country’s economic growth.” Minister Lee also emphasized the importance of local content policies for the success of this project: “We will advocate for the implementation of local content policies, ensuring that companies prioritize local labor, materials, and services to maximize the benefits for our economy.”

In addition to meetings with government officials, Linglong Tires’ executives also engaged with the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) to explore the possibility of establishing the factory in the East Gongudu Economic Zone (SEZ). The zone, strategically located near the Mombasa Port, serves as a gateway to regional and international markets. Captain William Ruto, Managing Director of KPA, stated, “The proximity of East Gongudu to Mombasa Port makes it the perfect gateway to both regional and international markets for businesses like Linglong Tires.”

Chairman Wang Feng of Linglong Tires remarked, “Our visit is primarily aimed at exploring opportunities for closer cooperation in the investment field to foster economic growth for both parties.” He further emphasized that the factory would not only enhance Linglong Tires’ presence in the African market but also contribute to local economic development.

While the project has not yet been fully confirmed, the extensive discussions with the Kenyan government and related departments suggest that the plan to establish a Linglong Tires factory in Kenya is progressing rapidly and will bring significant economic and social benefits to the region in the near future.