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Kenya
Kenya’s macroeconomic environment is solid yet facing headwinds: real GDP grew by 4.7 % in 2024, down from 5.7 % in 2023, with growth expected to recover to 5% in 2025. The economy remains services-led (55 % of GDP), followed by agriculture (22 %) and industry (17 %). Inflation eased to 3.9% in mid‑2025, down from 4.5% in 2024, and a peak of 7.7 % in 2023. Unemployment is estimated at 5.4% for the general population, and 11.9% for youth.
GDP nominal
USD 113 billion (2024)
Inflation
4.5% (2024)
Real GDP growth
4.7% (2024)
Employment as a % of population 15+
5.4% (2024)
Population
57.3 million (2023)
Human development index
11.9% (2024)
Investment indicators
General government investment (gross fixed capital formation) as a % of GDP
Private investment (gross fixed capital formation) as a % of GDP
Foreign direct investment, net inflows (% of GDP)
General government revenue as a % of GDP
Financial system deposits to GDP (%)
Central Bank Policy Rate
Latest news
PRESS RELEASE • 18 February 2026
OECD convenes high-level public-private dialogue in Nairobi to promote investment mobilisation for Africa's agrifood sector
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PRESS RELEASE • 28 November 2025
Eastern Africa moves to harmonise inland waterway transport policies for seamless multimodal trade
Learn moreInvestment landscape
Key sectors
Chemicals and pharmaceuticals
The chemicals and pharmaceuticals sector plays a strategic role in Kenya’s industrial and health systems and provides essential inputs for agriculture, construction, textiles, and consumer goods. Kenya is the leading pharmaceutical manufacturing hub in East Africa, hosting more than 35 licensed drug manufacturers that supply roughly 50 % of the region’s formal pharmaceutical market. Major producers include Universal Corporation, Cosmos, Beta Healthcare, Dawa Limited, and Regal…
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Agro-processing
The agro-processing sector is a cornerstone of Kenya’s industrial economy, linking agriculture, which employs over 60 % of the population, with manufacturing, trade, and services. It encompasses food and beverage processing, dairy, meat, edible oils, milling, sugar, tea, coffee, horticultural processing, and packaging industries. The sector includes more than 1 200 registered food and beverage manufacturers, ranging from large integrated companies to medium and small processors that serve…
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ICT & digital services
Kenya is widely recognised as East Africa’s digital hub, home to more than 500 active tech start-ups, a highly connected mobile user base, and strong innovation ecosystems such as Silicon Savannah in Nairobi. The country hosts regional offices of global technology firms including Google, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, Huawei, and IBM, as well as a growing number of local platforms and developers. The sector is regulated and promoted through frameworks such as the Digital Economy Blueprint…
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Building materials
The building materials industry forms a critical part of Kenya’s industrial base, supplying inputs for housing, infrastructure, and commercial construction. It includes the production of cement, steel, glass, ceramics, paints, tiles, roofing materials, and prefabricated components, serving both domestic and regional markets. Cement and steel dominate the sector. Kenya hosts major cement producers such as Bamburi Cement (LafargeHolcim), National Cement (Devki Group), East African Portland…
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Tourism
Tourism is one of Kenya’s most important service industries and a key source of foreign exchange, employment, and regional development. It encompasses wildlife and safari tourism, coastal and marine destinations, cultural and conference tourism, and emerging niches such as eco-tourism and adventure travel. The sector is overseen by the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, supported by agencies including the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), Tourism Fund, and Kenya Utalii College, and guided by the…
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Renewable energy
Kenya has one of the world’s highest shares of renewable energy in electricity generation, with around 90% of domestic power coming from geothermal (45%), hydropower (25%), wind (15%), and solar (5%) sources. This strong renewable base has reduced exposure to fuel price volatility and positioned Kenya as a regional leader in clean power. Total energy consumption still depends significantly on petroleum imports for transport and industry, and on biomass for household cooking and heating.…
Learn moreStrategies, policies and legislation
- Investment Promotion Act of 2022
- Companies Act of 2015
- Industrial Property Act of 2001
- Special Economic Zones Act of 2015
- Export Processing Zones Act of 1990