Kenya

Republic of Kenya

English, Swahili Kenyan Shilling (KES) Mixed: English common law, Islamic law (personal status), customary law
AU, EAC, COMESA, AfCFTA, Commonwealth, WTO

Kenya is East Africa's largest economy and the region's financial and innovation hub. Nairobi serves as the regional headquarters for dozens of international organizations, multinational corporations, and is Africa's leading technology and startup ecosystem.

The economy is diversified across agriculture (tea, flowers, coffee), financial services, ICT, tourism, and manufacturing. Kenya is the world's leading exporter of cut flowers and black tea. The country pioneered mobile money with M-Pesa, which has transformed financial inclusion and spawned a vibrant fintech ecosystem.

Kenya benefits from a well-educated workforce, strategic location on the Indian Ocean, modern port facilities at Mombasa, and the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) connecting the coast to Nairobi and beyond. The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) is East Africa's most active bourse.

SnapshotIndicatorsCountry FactsFocus SectorsTradeFinanceRegulations & TaxesTalentResourcesBusinesses (675)Deals (73)

Snapshot

Population~57.5 MWorld Bank, 2025
GDP (current USD)$135.9 BWorld Bank, 2025
GDP per Capita$2,363World Bank, 2025
GDP Growth4.63%World Bank, 2025
Inflation (y/y)~4.07%World Bank, 2025
CBR (Central Bank Rate)12.00%Central Bank
Unemployment5.45%World Bank, ILO modelled estimate, 2025
Internet Use~34.98%World Bank, 2024
Electrification~76.50%World Bank WDI
CPI Score (Rank)31.0/100 (#126)Transparency Intl
HDI (Rank)0.601 (#152)UNDP HDR
Credit RatingB (S&P) / B3 (Moody's) / B (Fitch)S&P / Moody's / Fitch
MarketNairobi Securities Exchange (NSE)

World Bank Indicators Compare with another country

GDP (current USD)$135.9 BWorld Bank, 2025
GDP growth (annual)4.63%World Bank, 2025
GDP per capita (USD)$2,363World Bank, 2025
Population, total57.5 MWorld Bank, 2025
FDI net inflows (USD)$463.4 MWorld Bank, 2024
Inflation (consumer prices)4.07%World Bank, 2025
Unemployment (% labour force)5.45%World Bank, 2025
Internet use (% of people)34.98%World Bank, 2024
Trade (% of GDP)37.52%World Bank, 2025

Country Facts

CapitalNairobi
RegionEast Africa
CurrencyKenyan Shilling (KES)
FX RegimeManaged float
Stock ExchangeNairobi Securities Exchange (NSE)
Investment Promotion AgencyKenya Investment Authority (KenInvest)
Legal SystemMixed: English common law, Islamic law (personal status), customary law
Time ZoneAfrica/Nairobi

Focus Sectors

Agriculture (tea
flowers
coffee)
Financial Services
ICT & Innovation
Tourism
Manufacturing
Real Estate
Energy (geothermal)
Transport & Logistics
Healthcare
Education

Trade

Top Export Partners (2023)

Uganda
10%
Netherlands
9%
United States
8%
Pakistan
7%
United Kingdom
6%

Top Export Goods

TeaCut flowersCoffeeVegetablesTitanium ores

Top Import Partners (2023)

China
21%
India
10%
UAE
8%
Saudi Arabia
7%
Japan
4%

Top Import Goods

Refined petroleumMachineryIron and steelVehiclesPalm oil

Finance & Capital Markets

CurrencyKenyan Shilling (KES)
CBR (Central Bank Rate)12.00%
FX regimeManaged float
ExchangeNairobi Securities Exchange (NSE)

Major Banks

KCB GroupCommercial
Equity GroupCommercial
Co-operative BankCommercial
NCBACommercial
Absa KenyaCommercial
Standard Chartered KenyaInternational

Mobile Money

Kenya is the global pioneer of mobile money. M-Pesa (Safaricom) processes over $30 billion annually and has 30+ million active users. Airtel Money and T-Kash (Telkom) also operate. M-Pesa's success spawned a massive fintech ecosystem including M-Shwari (savings/lending), Fuliza (overdraft), and integration across e-commerce, utilities, and government services.

Regulations & Taxes

Corporate Income Tax30% (15% for EPZ enterprises first 10 years)
VAT / Sales Tax16% standard
Withholding Tax15% dividends, 15% interest, 20% royalties (non-residents)

Talent

Median Age20.0 yrsUN Population
Adult Literacy82.60%World Bank UIS
Youth (<25)60.00%
LanguagesEnglish, Swahili

Recent Deals (73)

View All Deals
Debt FacilityMar 2025
$260M

Sun King

Lead: BeyondNetZero

Debt FacilitySep 2024
$60M

Watu Credit

Series AAug 2024
$42M

BasiGo

Lead: Africa50

SecuritizationJul 2024
$176M

d.light

Lead: African Frontier Capital

Series AMay 2024
$24M

Roam Electric

Lead: Equator Africa

Debt FacilityMay 2024
$51M

M-KOPA

Lead: US DFC

Series BMar 2024
$28M

SunCulture

Lead: InfraCo Africa

Series AJan 2024
$40M

NALA

Lead: Acrew Capital

Series FJun 2023
$330M

Zipline

Lead: Softbank

Series BJun 2023
$20M

Pula

Contract Awards

View All

SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF NATURAL MATERIALS FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLANS IN CHARO WAMAE, MAZINGIRA PARK AND SOKONI TVET IN KILIFI NORTH SUB-COUNTY.

Government of Kenya (World Bank-financed, project P167814)

Supply and delivery of Electrical and solar installation Materials for Community Development Plans for Kilifi North and Malindi Sub-Counties.

Government of Kenya (World Bank-financed, project P167814)

Supply and delivery of Plumbing and drainage works materials for implementation of Community Development Plans in Kilifi North and Malindi Sub-Counties.

Government of Kenya (World Bank-financed, project P167814)

SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF NATURAL MATERIALS FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR MUYEYE PUBLIC SPACE IMPROVEMENT IN MALINDI SUB-COUNTY.

Government of Kenya (World Bank-financed, project P167814)