Manufacturing
Manufacturing powers Kenya’s economy, accounting for over 11% of formal employment and contributing more than 7% to GDP. The sector offers exciting opportunities in e-mobility, textiles & apparel, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Kenya ranks 1st in manufacturing competitiveness within the East African Community (EAC), reinforcing its position as a regional hub for investment.
Sector overview
7.3%
GDP contribution
3.2%
Growth (2023 – 2024)
370k+
Jobs supported
$1.5Bn
Exports (2024)
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$850Mn
Market size by 2030
9k+
EVs on road
50+
Active e-mobility companies
High-potential value chains:
Electric 2-Wheeler assembly
Charging infrastructure, and financing
Active players
Read more on investment opportunities in e-mobility from Invest Kenya's sector pack
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$1.3Bn
Market size by 2030
45+
Firms operating in economic zones
$600Mn+
Exports in 2024
65k+
Jobs
70+%
Women employed in sector
35+
Global brands source from Kenya
Significant growth opportunities in
Textile mills and apparel factories
Active players
Global players supplied by Kenyan manufacturers
Read more on investment opportunities in T&A from Invest Kenya’s sector pack
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100%
Access to clean cooking by 2030
30%+
Access to clean cooking
40k+
Schools to transition
415MT
LPG consumption growing at 15% p.a.
High potential value chains:
Cooking equipment manufacturing
Clean fuel production and distribution
Active players
$765Mn
Market size in 2030
30+
Local pharma manufacturers
20k+
Jobs in pharma sector
10%+
Growth over last 5 years
31%
YoY growth in pharma exports
High potential value chains:
Tablet and injectable manufacturing
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients for essential medicines
Regional distribution/export
Research and development
Active players
Chemical
$260Mn
Market size
Includes industrial chemicals, paints,
resins, cosmetics, and basic chemical
products
Active players
Food & beverage
$5Bn+
Estimated packaged food market
Regarded as the largest subsector
in manufacturing
Active players
Electrical and electronics
$520Mn+
Sector size
Includes electrical components, appliances, batteries, and consumer electronics
Active players
Plastic and rubber
$113Mn+
Market size
Includes manufacturers of plastic products (e.g., PVC pipes, packaging bags, crates, and containers) and rubber products (e.g., tyres, tubes, rollers, and floor tiles)
Active players
Metal and allied
$273Mn
Market size
Includes cold rolling, galvanizing, colour coating, foundry, and forgers
Active players
Waste management
8Mn+
Tons of waste annually, with over 24k+ tons produced daily
Active players
Building materials
$6Bn+
Market size
Includes cement, steel products, tiles, roofing materials, prefabricated components, and construction inputs
Active players
Glass
140Kt+
Market size in terms of materials
Incudes flat glass, container glass, architectural glass, and specialized glass for construction and packaging
Active players
