Investment trends
6 global trends in investment landscape
Global FDI growth remains resilient
Global FDI inflows reached ~$1.5Tn in 2024, continuing steady growth from ~$1.3Tn in 2022 despite macro uncertainty
Green power is a leading investment destination
Renewable energy has emerged as a top global FDI sector, attracting over $250Bn in capital investment in 2024
Greenfield FDI is shifting to future-shaping industries
~75% of new greenfield projects since 2022 target semiconductors, EV batteries, renewables, and digital infrastructure
Digital infrastructure demand is surging
Global data-center demand is expected to more than double by 2030, with GenAI workloads driving ~71% of growth
Investment facilitation is becoming a key differentiator
Countries are strengthening digital government, transparency, and aftercare to compete for increasingly mobile investment
Regional rebalancing is accelerating, with Africa rising
While Asia remains the largest FDI destination (~$600Bn), Africa’s inflows grew the most (~75% YoY), surging from $55Bn in 2023 to $97Bn in 2024
Kenya economic overview
Kenya’s trade volume rose to KSh 3.8 trillion in 2024, up from KSh 3.6 trillion in 2023, driven by growth in both imports and exports. Export earnings increased to KSh 1.1 trillion, supported by tea, apparel, oils, fruits, coffee, and jet fuel re-exports. Imports climbed to KSh 2.7 trillion, largely due to higher inflows of rice, telecommunications equipment, plastics, machinery, and aircraft. As export growth outpaced imports, the trade deficit narrowed to KSh 1.594 trillion, while the export-import cover ratio improved to 41.1%.
Top 5 exports
Value in (KSh)
Horticulture
203.6Bn
Tea
189.1Bn
Apparel and clothing
56.8Bn
Coffee (unroasted)
38.4Bn
Animal and vegetable oils
30.3Bn
Top 5 imports
Value in (KSh)
Petroleum products
552.4Bn
Machinery
312.9Bn
Fats and oils
139.2Bn
Plastic articles
113.4Bn
Iron and steel
101.8Bn
Top 5 exports
Value in (KSh)
Tea
188.7Bn
Horticulture
187.47Bn
Apparel & clothing
45.5Bn
Coffee
34.6Bn
Iron & Steel
32.3Bn
Top 5 imports
Value in (KSh)
Petroleum products
606.0Bn
Machinery
289.9Bn
Animal & Vegetable oils/fats
139.1Bn
Iron & steel
120.8Bn
Unmilled wheat
93.8Bn
Top 5 exports
Value in (KSh)
Tea
163.3Bn
Horticulture
152.3Bn
Apparel & clothing
47.3Bn
Coffee
37.1Bn
Titanium Ore
29.4Bn
Top 5 imports
Value in (KSh)
Petroleum products
597.7Bn
Machinery
308.5Bn
Iron & steel
150.6Bn
Fats & oils
145.8Bn
Plastic articles
101.3Bn
