Manufacturing in Kenya contributed 7.6% to the country's GDP and was worth Ksh 1.15 trillion at current prices in 2023.[1] Food, beverages, and tobacco manufacturing were valued at 629.7 billion, while other manufacturing, repair, and installation activities were valued at 519.1 billion.[2]
The manufacturing sector grew by 2% in 2023 compared to 2.6% in 2022. Other manufacturing, repair, and installation activities grew by 3.7%, while food, beverages, and tobacco manufacturing rose by 0.5%.[3]
Manufacturing by county
According to the 2023 Gross County Product report, Nairobi County contributed, on average, 36.9% to the overall manufacturing GDP between 2018 and 2022, followed by Mombasa at 9.6%, Kiambu at 8.4%, and Machakos at 7.8%.
In addition to Kilifi County, which contributed, on average, 4.6% to the overall manufacturing GVA, these counties accounted for 67.3% of the total manufacturing GDP in Kenya.
Higher manufacturing output in these counties was attributed to export processing zones (EPZs) in their jurisdictions. These zones offer attractive opportunities and incentives to investors looking to establish export-oriented businesses. According to the Export Processing Zones Authority, incentives include tax holidays, exemptions, quick approvals, and licensing.[4]
Counties without EPZs and those in arid and semi-arid regions such as West Pokot, Mandera, Marsabit, Tana River, and Isiolo contributed the lowest to the total manufacturing GVA. For instance, Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit, and Isiolo all contributed, on average, 0.1% to the overall manufacturing GVA between 2018 and 2022
The table below shows the average county contribution to manufacturing activities between 2018 and 2022.[4]
|
County |
Average County Contribution to Manufacturing Activities* (%), 2018-2022 |
|
9.6 |
|
|
Kwale |
0.8 |
|
4.6 |
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
Lamu |
0.1 |
|
0.3 |
|
|
Garissa |
0.2 |
|
Wajir |
0.1 |
|
Mandera |
0.1 |
|
0.1 |
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
1.9 |
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
0.4 |
|
|
Kitui |
0.5 |
|
7.8 |
|
|
Makueni |
0.6 |
|
0.3 |
|
|
Nyeri |
1.5 |
|
0.7 |
|
|
Murang'a |
1 |
|
Kiambu |
8.4 |
|
Turkana |
0.3 |
|
0.1 |
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
Trans Nzoia |
0.7 |
|
1.4 |
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
Nandi |
1.3 |
|
0.5 |
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
3.9 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
Kajiado |
1 |
|
Kericho |
1.6 |
|
Bomet |
1.4 |
|
Kakamega |
1.8 |
|
Vihiga |
0.2 |
|
Bungoma |
0.9 |
|
Busia |
0.4 |
|
Siaya |
0.4 |
|
Kisumu |
3.4 |
|
Homa Bay |
0.7 |
|
Migori |
0.5 |
|
Kisii |
0.7 |
|
Nyamira |
0.7 |
|
Nairobi City |
36.9 |
*It does not include other industry activities such as electricity, gas, steam, air conditioning supply, mining, and quarrying.
See Also
References
- KNBS 2024. Economic Survey 2024. Nairobi, Kenya. (p. 43)
- KNBS 2024. Economic Survey 2024. Nairobi, Kenya. (p. 42)
- KNBS 2024. Economic Survey 2024. Nairobi, Kenya. (p. 46)
- KNBS 2023. Gross county product 2023. Nairobi, Kenya. (p. 17)
