Economy

Kenya’s economic outlook for the years ahead looks robust, despite recent challenges such as a trade deficit and rising debt. Following 2014’s GDP rebasing, the country is now East Africa’s largest economy and boasts a prominent profile in the EAC. According to official forecasts, growth is expected to be around 6.5-7% in 2015 and to continue at a similar level for the coming years. This follows on from growth of 5.3% in 2014 and 5.7% in 2013. Agriculture was the biggest sector, at 27.3% of GDP by activity, in 2014 and it also accounts for roughly two-thirds of all exports and supports as much as 80% of the rural population directly or indirectly. The second-largest contributor to GDP in 2014 was manufacturing, at 11%.

This chapter contains interviews with Henry Rotich, Cabinet Secretary, National Treasury; Cecilia Malmström, EU Trade Commissioner; Moses Ikiara, Managing Director, Kenya Investment Authority; and Carole Kariuki, CEO, Kenya Private Sector Alliance.