Manufacturing in Kenya contributed 7.3% to the country's GDP and was worth Ksh 1.18 trillion at current prices in 2024.[1] Food, beverages, and tobacco manufacturing were valued at 660 billion, while other manufacturing, repair, and installation activities were valued at 516.4 billion.[2]
The manufacturing sector grew by 2.8% in 2024 compared to 2.2% in 2023. Other manufacturing, repair, and installation activities reduced to 0.8%, while food, beverages, and tobacco manufacturing rose to 4.6%.[3]
Manufacturing by county
According to the 2024 Gross County Product report, Nairobi County contributed, on average, 36.4% to the overall manufacturing GDP between 2020 and 2024, followed by Mombasa at 9.8%, Kiambu at 8.3%, and Machakos at 8%.
In addition to Kilifi County, which contributed, on average, 4.6% to the overall manufacturing GVA, these counties accounted for 71.1% 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 Samburu, West Pokot, Isiolo, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa 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 2020 and 2024.
The table below shows the average county contribution to manufacturing activities between 2020 and 2024.[4]
|
County |
Average County Contribution to Manufacturing Activities* (%), 2020 - 2024 |
|
9.8 |
|
|
0.7 |
|
|
4.6 |
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
0.4 |
|
|
0.4 |
|
|
8 |
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
1.4 |
|
|
0.8 |
|
|
1.1 |
|
|
8.3 |
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
0.6 |
|
|
1.3 |
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
1.4 |
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
4 |
|
|
0.9 |
|
|
1.1 |
|
|
1.7 |
|
|
1.5 |
|
|
1.9 |
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
0.9 |
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
0.4 |
|
|
3.5 |
|
|
0.7 |
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
0.7 |
|
|
0.7 |
|
|
36.4 |
*It does not include other industry activities such as electricity, gas, steam, air conditioning supply, mining, and quarrying.
See Also
- Country Contribution to Agriculture
- County Contribution to Service Activities
- County GDP
- Export Processing Zones (EPZs) in Kenya
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)