Kenya: economy

What is Kenya's GDP growth rate?

Kenya's real GDP grew 5.3% in the first quarter of 2026, up from 4.9% in the same quarter of 2025, according to the National Treasury's draft 2026 Budget Review and Outlook Paper. For the full year 2025 the economy grew 4.6%, against 4.7% in 2024, the Treasury's FY 2026/27 Budget Summary says. The Central Bank of Kenya raised its growth projection for 2026 to 5.0% from 4.9% at its 7 October 2026 meeting, and projects 5.3% for 2027.

Quarterly growth compares a quarter with the same quarter a year earlier. The quarterly and annual national accounts are compiled by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics; the Treasury and Central Bank documents linked here quote them. The Central Bank lists the risks to its projection as geopolitical tensions, trade policy uncertainty and the El Niño weather phenomenon.

Official sources: National Treasury: draft 2026 Budget Review and Outlook Paper · National Treasury: Budget Summary FY 2026/27 · Central Bank of Kenya: MPC press release, 7 October 2026

What is Kenya's current account deficit?

Kenya's current account deficit was 3.1% of GDP in the 12 months to August 2026, up from 2.1% a year earlier, according to the Central Bank of Kenya's Monetary Policy Committee press release of 7 October 2026. The Central Bank projects a deficit of 3.2% of GDP for 2026, against 2.1% in 2025, mainly because of higher fuel import costs and lower remittances. It expects an overall balance of payments surplus of US$2,426 million in 2026.

The current account covers trade in goods and services, income and transfers such as remittances. A deficit means Kenya pays out more to the rest of the world than it receives on these items; it is financed by inflows on the financial and capital account, such as loans and investment. The Central Bank's balance of payments statistics give the detailed series.

Official sources: Central Bank of Kenya: MPC press release, 7 October 2026 · Central Bank of Kenya: balance of payments statistics

What is Kenya's trade deficit?

Kenya's goods trade deficit was KSh168.5 billion in July 2026, according to the Central Bank of Kenya's foreign trade summary. Imports were KSh338.8 billion and total exports, including re-exports, were KSh170.3 billion. The deficit was KSh181.9 billion in June and KSh219.4 billion in May 2026. In the 12 months to August 2026, goods exports rose 11.8% and goods imports rose 15.8%, the Central Bank's 7 October press release says.

The figures cover goods only, not services such as tourism. Kenya has run a deficit on goods trade in every month of the Central Bank's table, which starts in 1998. The Central Bank links the faster growth in imports in 2026 to higher imports of food, mineral fuels and intermediate and capital goods; fuel import costs rose with international oil prices.

Official sources: Central Bank of Kenya: foreign trade summary · Central Bank of Kenya: MPC press release, 7 October 2026

Which countries does Kenya export to most?

Uganda was the largest single destination for Kenya's exports in July 2026, taking goods worth KSh48.8 billion out of total exports of KSh170.3 billion, according to the Central Bank of Kenya's table of exports to selected countries. The United States took KSh12.6 billion, Pakistan KSh8.6 billion, Tanzania KSh6.2 billion, the Netherlands KSh5.9 billion and the United Kingdom KSh4.9 billion. On the import side, India (KSh56.1 billion) and the United Arab Emirates (KSh42.6 billion) were the largest sources listed in the imports table.

The tables cover a selection of countries; the rest are grouped as "others". Monthly values move with harvests and shipping, so several months give a steadier picture. The Central Bank names horticulture and tea as main drivers of export growth in 2026.

Official sources: Central Bank of Kenya: value of exports to selected rest of world countries · Central Bank of Kenya: value of direct imports from selected rest of world countries

How much do Kenyans abroad send home?

Kenyans abroad sent home US$451.8 million in August 2026, according to the Central Bank of Kenya's diaspora remittances table, up from US$426.1 million in August 2025. Of the August total, US$227.3 million came from North America, US$97.2 million from Europe and US$127.3 million from the rest of the world. In the 12 months to August 2026, remittances totalled about US$5.01 billion, 1.3% lower than a year earlier, as the Central Bank's October press release notes.

The figures count money sent through formal channels such as banks and money transfer operators; cash carried by hand is not included. Remittances are one of Kenya's largest sources of foreign exchange. Monthly totals vary, and the 12-month total is the steadier measure.

Official sources: Central Bank of Kenya: diaspora remittances · Central Bank of Kenya: MPC press release, 7 October 2026

How large are Kenya's foreign exchange reserves?

The Central Bank of Kenya's usable foreign exchange reserves stood at US$14,702 million in early October 2026, equal to 5.9 months of import cover, according to its Monetary Policy Committee press release of 7 October 2026. The Committee said the reserves provide a buffer against short-term domestic and external shocks. At the same meeting it kept the Central Bank Rate at 8.75%.

Import cover measures how many months of imports the reserves could pay for. The Central Bank publishes weekly reserve figures in its Weekly Bulletin. Reserves rise with inflows such as loans, investment and remittances, and fall when the Central Bank sells dollars or the government repays foreign debt.

Official sources: Central Bank of Kenya: MPC press release, 7 October 2026 · Central Bank of Kenya: Weekly Bulletin

Is Kenya's economy growing?

The World Bank puts real GDP growth in Kenya at 4.6% in 2025. The peak was 8.1% in 2010 and the low -0.3% in 2020. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 4.6%, and Kenya placed 22nd highest of 46. World rank, highest first: 50th of 180.

What is Kenya's GDP per person?

The World Bank puts GDP per person in Kenya at $2,363 in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. Sub-Saharan Africa median: $1,351; Kenya is 16th highest of 46. World rank, highest first: 143rd of 180.

What is Kenya's GDP per capita at PPP?

$7,016 in international dollars: that is GDP per person at purchasing power parity in Kenya for 2025, according to the World Bank. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 16th highest of 46 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is $4,425 in international dollars. Of 179 countries with 2025 data, 137th highest.

How much does Kenya export?

In 2025, exports of goods and services in Kenya was 15.8% of GDP, according to the World Bank. Since 2005 it has ranged from 11.4% of GDP (2019) to 28.5% of GDP (2005). Sub-Saharan Africa median: 26.1% of GDP; Kenya is 29th highest of 38. World rank, highest first: 115th of 133.

Does Kenya have a current account surplus or deficit?

According to the IMF, the current account balance in Kenya was -2.1% of GDP in 2025, which is a deficit. Since 2005 it has ranged from -9.3% of GDP (2014) to -1.3% of GDP (2005). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was -3.6% of GDP, and Kenya placed 9th highest of 20. World rank, highest first: 75th of 132.

What is FDI in Kenya?

According to the IMF, net inflows of foreign direct investment in Kenya was 0.8% of GDP in 2025. The peak was 3.1% of GDP in 2011 and the low -0.0% of GDP in 2020. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 2.0% of GDP, and Kenya placed 40th highest of 46. Of 179 countries with 2025 data, 136th highest.

How high are loan rates in Kenya?

The IMF puts the average bank lending rate in Kenya at 16.6% in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2012, at 19.7%; its low point was 2020, at 12.0%. It is 10th highest of 23 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 16.0%. World rank, highest first: 17th of 89.