PDM Group, one of East Africa’s longest-established real estate and urban development firms, has been appointed the lead strategic partner for the Journey Back to Eden (JBE) programme, a new initiative designed to deepen Kenya’s engagement with African American and global diaspora communities. The programme aims to support individuals and families seeking to reconnect with their heritage, explore investment prospects, and establish long-term residence in Kenya.
The announcement was made during the official JBE launch at the Nairobi Serena Hotel. The event was presided over by Tourism Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa, who represented Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano. Senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, including Director of Cultural Diplomacy Diana Kiambuthi, were also present.
PS Ololtuaa described the initiative as a significant opportunity for Kenya to position itself as a preferred destination for both cultural return and investment. He commended PDM Group’s involvement, noting that its longstanding experience in real estate development provides the structure and credibility needed for families considering relocation from abroad.
“The government welcomes this transformative initiative, especially with strong private-sector leadership from partners like PDM Group, who bring a longstanding legacy of credibility and structure to the relocation and settlement experience. Kenya is open, ready, and eager to welcome our people home,” said PS Ololtuaa.
PDM Group to Anchor Relocation and Settlement Services
PDM Group will serve as the primary partner overseeing all relocation and settlement components of the JBE programme. The company will provide a comprehensive relocation ecosystem that includes real estate advisory, property acquisition and development, housing solutions and long-term property management.
The partnership integrates additional support from the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), expanding the initiative beyond real estate to include healthcare, education, financial services and community wellbeing. This holistic approach is intended to address the major considerations for diaspora families evaluating relocation options, such as access to healthcare, quality schools and stable investment opportunities.
PDM Group CEO Natasha Mutai said the collaboration reflects the company’s vision of providing structured pathways for diaspora communities to return, invest and settle in Kenya.
“At PDM, we believe that coming home should be a dignified, informed, and empowering experience. Our partnership with the JBE programme allows us to offer African American and global diaspora families a trusted, structured, and safe pathway to invest, relocate, and build new lives in Kenya,” Mutai said.
Immersive Experience for Diaspora Families and Investors
The JBE programme will offer immersive 7-day and 12-day experiences tailored to diaspora participants seeking a deeper understanding of Kenya’s opportunities. The itineraries will expose visitors to the country’s real estate landscape, relocation services, medical tourism options, wellness facilities, investment prospects, entrepreneurship avenues, educational environments and cultural heritage sites.
Organisers say the initiative goes beyond traditional tourism by offering practical engagement with Kenya’s social, economic and cultural systems. Participants will be equipped with insights to guide relocation decisions, housing choices and investment plans, while also exploring cultural and heritage reconnection activities across the country.
Supporting Kenya’s Economic and Cultural Diplomacy Goals
The initiative aligns with Kenya’s broader strategy to strengthen ties with global diaspora populations while attracting investment into key economic sectors such as tourism, real estate, healthcare and education. Government officials have repeatedly emphasized that tapping into diaspora spending power could unlock significant economic benefits.
According to Traverze Culture CEO Kea Wakesho Simmons, who leads the JBE programme, the African American community alone commands an estimated USD 1.6 trillion in annual spending power. Combined with other global diaspora communities of African descent, the potential extends into hundreds of billions of dollars in disposable income and investment capacity.
“Journey Back to Eden was created to give the diaspora not just a tour, but also a pathway home. This partnership with PDM Group elevates JBE by providing participants with the stability, clarity, and trusted infrastructure needed to make informed decisions about relocation, housing, investment, and long-term settlement in Kenya,” Simmons said.
She added that Kenya is well-positioned to become a premier destination for cultural return experiences and diaspora investment, given its established tourism sector, expanding real estate market and growing medical travel market.
Building the Reconnection Economy
The partnership places PDM Group at the forefront of what stakeholders describe as Africa’s emerging reconnection economy: a growing ecosystem of services catering to individuals seeking cultural return, regional integration or new residency opportunities on the continent.
Industry observers say the reconnecting diaspora market represents a niche but fast-expanding segment. Countries such as Ghana, Sierra Leone and Rwanda have launched various cultural return and citizenship programmes targeting descendants of Africans in the Americas and Europe. Kenya’s approach through JBE combines cultural diplomacy with structured investment pathways, an approach that stakeholders believe could differentiate the country in an increasingly competitive landscape.
For Kenya, strengthening diaspora relations also supports long-term strategic goals, including expanding tourism earnings, attracting foreign direct investment and enhancing its global cultural footprint.
Upcoming International Outreach
To promote the initiative and engage potential participants abroad, JBE organisers and PDM Group are planning a marketing tour in February 2026 coinciding with Black History Month. Events will take place in Atlanta, Houston and Washington, D.C., three cities with substantial African American communities and diaspora networks.
The outreach aims to position Kenya as a credible destination for relocation and long-term investment while building visibility for the JBE programme ahead of its first large-scale cohorts.
A Strategic Step for Kenya’s Diaspora Engagement
Stakeholders describe the JBE initiative as a timely intervention for Kenya as it seeks to expand its economic and cultural diplomacy. By offering a structured ecosystem supported by credible partners, the programme is expected to provide clarity and confidence for diaspora families weighing relocation options.
Government officials reiterated that Kenya remains committed to welcoming diaspora communities and supporting their integration through private-sector partnerships that offer strong governance and long-term institutional backing.
With PDM Group anchoring the initiative and AKDN contributing to essential services, the JBE programme is positioned to become a significant gateway for diaspora return, long-term settlement and investment in Kenya.
