By Kasembeli Albert
Stronger partnerships within Kenya’s manufacturing sector could unlock the Coast Region’s industrial potential while creating fresh demand for reliable domestic air connectivity, Fly748.com has said.
The airline’s Head of Scheduled Services, George Oduor, made the case for deeper collaboration among manufacturers, investors, suppliers and tourism operators during the 3rd Edition of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) Coast Golf Tournament, held on Saturday at Nyali Golf Club in Mombasa.
Speaking under the theme “Industry Partnerships Forged on the Fairways,” Oduor argued that closer business ties would help position the Coast as more than a leisure destination, building a broader economic ecosystem capable of sustaining both business and leisure travel.
“The Coast has enormous potential to become a stronger manufacturing, trade and investment hub,” Oduor said. “Unlocking that potential, however, requires partnerships that connect businesses to markets, investors, suppliers, talent and customers. As these linkages grow, so does the need for reliable and convenient domestic connectivity.”
The tournament attracted 220 registered players from the manufacturing and wider business community, providing a platform for industry leaders to network, strengthen relationships and explore partnerships that can support the growth and sustainability of manufacturing in Mombasa and the wider Coast Region.
Oduor emphasised that such engagements are critical because the impact of a growing manufacturing sector extends well beyond industry, creating opportunities across aviation, hospitality, tourism and other service sectors.
“Manufacturing and tourism should not be viewed as separate economic engines,” he said. “When a company brings investors, suppliers or business partners to Mombasa, that visit creates demand for flights, accommodation, restaurants, conference facilities and local experiences. Stronger business activity therefore has a multiplier effect across the Coast economy.”
He noted that improved connectivity between Nairobi and the Coast is particularly important as businesses expand operations, seek new markets and build stronger supply chains.
For the aviation sector, Oduor said, the opportunity lies in ensuring that businesses can move their people efficiently and reliably between key economic centres.
“Air connectivity is ultimately an enabler of economic opportunity,” he explained. “Every manufacturer expanding operations at the Coast, every investor visiting a project and every new business partnership represents movement of people, ideas and investment. Our role is to provide the reliable connectivity that enables that movement.”
Oduor added that strengthening business travel could also contribute to a more balanced travel market for the Coast by complementing traditional leisure demand throughout the year.
“Mombasa will always be one of Kenya’s most important tourism destinations, but there is significant opportunity to grow the business travel segment alongside tourism,” he said. “A stronger and more diversified Coast economy ultimately benefits manufacturing, aviation, hospitality and tourism alike.”
The tournament, now in its third year, has become a key fixture on the Coast’s business calendar, reflecting growing recognition within the manufacturing community of the need for sustained collaboration.
As the Coast positions itself for greater industrial growth, industry leaders are increasingly looking to strategic partnerships, both on and off the fairways, to drive the region’s economic transformation.
Ends…
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