• GDP: US$19.4 billion (2005).
• Main exports: Tea, horticultural products, coffee, petroleum products, fish and cement.
• Main imports: Machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum products, motor vehicles, iron and steel, resins and plastics.
• Main trade partners: Africa (Uganda and Tanzania mainly), EU (UK mainly), and the Far East.

The Kenyan economy is largely agricultural – 80% of the population are dependent on the land, contributing around 30% of national output. The main cash crops are tea and coffee, although pyrethrum, sisal, sugar and cotton are also important. Kenya is one of the few African countries with a significant dairy industry.

Hydroelectric plants meet 80% of the country’s energy requirements. The remainder comes from imported oil, which is also used for one of the country’s principal industries, the manufacture of petroleum-based products such as plastic and chemicals.

Kenya, which has one of Africa’s largest manufacturing sectors, also produces cement, paper, drinks, tobacco, textiles, rubber and metal products, ceramics, and electrical and transport equipment. The mining industry, however, is very small.

In the service sector, tourism is the largest industry and the country’s principal source of foreign exchange; this increased significantly in 2004 with a 52% increase in earnings over 2003.

Like many African countries, Kenya signed up to an IMF-imposed Structural Adjustment Programme in the mid 1990s but it lapsed following policy disagreements between the Fund and the Kenyan government. Further concerns, mainly concerning political reform and widespread corruption, disrupted Kenyan relations with its other major Western aid donors. The IMF and World Bank withdrew support entirely in January 2000.

However, following introduction of anti-corruption measures and the privatisation of several major state-owned enterprises, the IMF approved the new Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility in 2003. The 2005/6 budget gave new emphasis to economic recovery strategies, with particular emphasis on increasing expenditure on health, education and infrastructure. In addition, for the first time, foreign investors have been allowed to take controlling stakes in Kenyan companies.

Overall economic performance has been disappointing due to the persistent government failures and slow pace of reform. Since the election of the NARC government however, economic growth has picked up, reaching 5.8% in 2005.

Lightweight suits are recommended for all occasions. Prior appointments are necessary. Although Swahili is the national language, English is the official language and is widely spoken.

Office hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1300 and 1400-1700.

Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry
PO Box 47024, Ufanisi House, Hailé Sélassie Avenue, Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: (020) 220 867.
Website: www.kncc.org

Investment Promotion Centre
PO Box 55704, 8th Floor, National Bank Building, Harambee Avenue, Kenya City Square 00200, Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: (020) 221 401-4.
Website: www.investmentkenya.com

The Kenyatta International Conference Centre (Information on Conferences/Conventions)
PO Box 30510, Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: (020) 332 383.

Main urban centres, such as Mombasa and Nairobi, and most international hotels have conference facilities.