Kenya flag

Kenya

Republic of Kenya
English and Swahili Currency KES Mixed law EAC • COMESA • AfCFTA

Hub market for East Africa with diversified agriculture, services and a growing industrial base. Recent policy actions include a sequence of CBR cuts as inflation eased, steady tax administration reforms, and capital market initiatives around the Nairobi Securities Exchange.

Overview

Kenya combines a strong services backbone with agro value chains, logistics via Mombasa port and the SGR, and leading fintech adoption. Investor interfaces include the Business Registration Service on eCitizen for setup, KRA iTax for PIN and VAT, and the Capital Markets Authority for listings and approvals.

Snapshot

Population
~56.4 M 2024
World Bank
GDP current USD
$124.5 B 2024
World Bank WDI
GDP per Capita
$2,206 2024
World Bank WDI
Inflation y over y
4.5% Aug 2025
KNBS and Reuters
Policy Rate
9.50% Aug 12, 2025
Central Bank of Kenya
Internet Use
~35% 2023
World Bank series via TE
Electrification
~76% 2023
World Bank SDG7
Market Note
Nairobi Securities Exchange
NSE

Focus Sectors

Tea and Coffee Cut Flowers and Horticulture Apparel and Light Manufacturing ICT and Fintech Logistics and Port Services Geothermal and Renewables Construction and Materials Financial Services Tourism

Trade

Top Export Partners 2023

  • Uganda$893 M
  • United States$838 M
  • United Arab Emirates$716 M
  • Netherlands$706 M
  • Pakistan$520 M
OEC 2023

Top Export Goods

Tea Cut flowers Coffee Titanium ores Apparel

Top Import Partners 2023

  • China18.2%
  • United Arab Emirates16.4%
  • India10.1%
  • Saudi Arabia4.9%
  • Malaysia4.9%
WITS snapshot

Top Import Goods 2023

  • Refined petroleum$4.06 B
  • Palm oilfood and FMCG
  • Wheatfood security
  • Packaged medicamentspharma
  • Carsconsumer and fleet
OEC and World’s Top Exports 2023

Finance and Capital Markets

Currency and Policy

  • CurrencyKenyan Shilling KES
  • Policy rateCBR 9.50%
  • FX frameworkManaged float via CBK
CBK

Markets

  • ExchangeNairobi Securities Exchange
  • InstrumentsEquities and corporate and government bonds
NSE and CBK

Regulations and Taxes

Start a Business

  1. Register online — BRS on eCitizen
  2. Obtain KRA PIN and register for VAT as needed — KRA iTax
  3. Open bank account and set up eCitizen payments
  4. Register for NSSF and NHIF where applicable
  5. Apply sector licenses — county or line ministry
BRS and KRA

Key Taxes

  • Corporate Income Tax30% resident headline
  • VAT standard16%
  • WHT dividends5% resident and 15% non resident typical
  • WHT interest15% non resident typical
PwC WWTS and Finance updates

Talent

Median Age
~20 yrs
UN and World Economics
Adult Literacy
~82%
World Bank UIS
Tertiary Enrolment
low teens gross
World Bank UIS
Languages
English and Swahili
Gov KE

Policy

  • AfCFTA and EACOperational with tariff schedules phased
  • MonetaryCBR cuts as inflation eased within target band
  • Digital governmenteCitizen platforms expanded for licensing and payments
AU and EAC and CBK

Risks

  • FX and fundingExternal financing costs and shilling volatility
  • Weather and foodRainfall shocks and imported cereals
  • Power reliabilityGrid disruptions and outage exposure
Reuters and WB monitoring

Resources

Business Registration Service KRA iTax via eCitizen CBK policy rate Nairobi Securities Exchange WITS trade snapshot OEC country profile World Bank data

Links open in a new tab.

Data Notes
Population, GDP and GDP per head from World Bank WDI 2024. Inflation August 2025 per KNBS release and Reuters report. Policy rate from CBK page and MPC note dated August 12, 2025. Internet users 2023 from World Bank series as mirrored on Trading Economics. Electrification about 76 percent based on WDI and SDG7 tracking. Export destinations and import partner shares from OEC 2023 and WITS snapshot. Import goods values from OEC and World’s Top Exports. Registration steps from BRS and KRA portals.