The Economic Development and Investment Council (EDIC-Pwani) held a productive Board meeting this week, with one clear message: 2026 is the year to move from ideas to action.

The Council reviewed progress on three flagship projects for Mombasa, namely a world-class Convention Centre to put the city on the international meetings map, a Tea Common User Facility to help local producers and SMEs capture more value from Kenya’s iconic export, and a Water Transport pilot that would ease congestion and transform how people move across Mombasa Island.

Beyond the three lead projects, the Council also discussed progressing a broader pipeline that includes smart solar street lighting, shared energy infrastructure for industrial SMEs, and emerging opportunities in Kilifi and Kwale. Blue economy and coastal tourism, from marine attractions to Old Town regeneration, are on the radar too. Additionally, critical areas for data driven policy advocacy to address the operating environment in the respective project sectors were presented and deliberated.

There was strong alignment around EDIC’s unique role: a neutral, multi-stakeholder platform that brings together county government, the private sector, development partners and investors to get projects over the line, not in years, but in months.

The energy in the room was clear. The Coast has the assets, the ambition, and now the institutional focus to deliver.

Watch this space.