Partner risk indices

Country Risk Index

50.2

Political Risk Index

51.9

Short-Term Economic Risk Index

44

Long-Term Economic Risk Index

45.8

Operational Risk Index

53.8

Source: Partner Research Partner, as of 8 Nov 2026. 0-100, higher means higher risk.

Key indicators

Market overview

• Kenya is in East Africa and is classified by the World Bank as Lower middle income. (World Bank)
• Population: 57.5 million (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• GDP: US$135.9bn in 2025 (estimate). (IMF WEO)

Economic conditions

• Real GDP growth: 4.6% in 2025 (estimate); the IMF projects 4.5% for 2026. (IMF WEO)
• Average consumer price inflation: 4.1% in 2025 (estimate); projected 6% for 2026. (IMF WEO)
• General government gross debt: 71.3% of GDP in 2025 (estimate). (IMF WEO)
• Current account balance: -2.8% of GDP in 2025 (estimate). (IMF WEO)
• Government net lending/borrowing: -6.5% of GDP in 2025 (estimate). (IMF WEO)
• Official exchange rate averaged 129.3 local currency units per US dollar in 2025, against 139.85 in 2023: 7.5% more units per dollar fewer (the currency strengthened against the dollar). (World Bank WDI)

Key risks

• Partner risk indices (0-100, higher = higher risk), as of 8 Nov 2026: Country Risk Index 50.2 (rank 8 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk); Political Risk Index 51.9 (rank 26 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk); Short-Term Economic Risk Index 44 (rank 4 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk); Long-Term Economic Risk Index 45.8 (rank 6 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk); Operational Risk Index 53.8 (rank 10 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk). (Partner Research Partner)
• Highest-scoring Partner risk component: crime and security risk (63.1, operational). (Partner Research Partner)
• World Bank governance scores (2025, 0-100, higher is better): control of corruption 31; government effectiveness 51; political stability and absence of violence 46; rule of law 51; regulatory quality 49. (World Bank WGI)
• External debt stocks: 34.6% of GNI (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• Unemployment (modelled ILO estimate): 5.4% of labour force (2025). (World Bank WDI)

Investment considerations

• Foreign direct investment, net inflows: 0.8% of GDP (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• Domestic credit to the private sector: 29.4% of GDP (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• Bank lending interest rate: 16.6% (2024). (World Bank WDI)
• Trade (exports plus imports): 37.5% of GDP (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• The Meridian holds 2,220 published records tagged to Kenya. (The Meridian)

Sector snapshot

• Energy and power: access to electricity 77% of population (2024); renewable share of final energy consumption 67.7% (2021). (World Bank WDI)
• Mining and minerals: mineral rents 0% of GDP (2021); ores and metals exports 3.3% of merchandise exports (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• Financial services: foreign direct investment, net inflows 0.8% of GDP (2025); bank lending interest rate 16.6% (2024). (World Bank WDI)
• Technology, media and telecoms: internet users 35% of population (2024); mobile subscriptions 126.5 per 100 people (2024). (World Bank WDI)
• Agriculture: agriculture, forestry and fishing, value added 23.2% of GDP (2025); employment in agriculture 45.8% of employment (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• Manufacturing and industry: manufacturing, value added 7.1% of GDP (2025); industry (including construction), value added 16.3% of GDP (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• Infrastructure and real estate: urban population 32.2% of population (2025); access to electricity 77% of population (2024). (World Bank WDI)

Recent developments

• Kenyans have made up their minds about 2027 polls , declares Uhuru (the-star.co.ke, 12 Nov 2026) (GDELT)
• Kenya : About - Turn ? Government Mulls Subsidised Tickets for Bayern Vs Ajax Clash (allafrica.com, 12 Nov 2026) (GDELT)
• Kenya : MPs Demand Special Audit of Quickmart Share Sale Over Investor Fears (allafrica.com, 12 Nov 2026) (GDELT)
• Kenya Allegedly Hosts Al - Shabab Figures Amid Deadly Cross - Border Attacks (allafrica.com, 12 Nov 2026) (GDELT)
• Kenya : Unicef Report Ranks Kenya Highly in Early - Grade Learning Efforts (allafrica.com, 12 Nov 2026) (GDELT)

Data limitations and sources

• Older data, shown with its period and not described as current: Renewable share of final energy consumption (Latest published value is for 2021); Oil rents (Latest published value is for 2021); Mineral rents (Latest published value is for 2021).
• IMF figures for the most recent year are IMF estimates and later years are projections. World Bank series typically lag by one to two years. Headlines come from automated news monitoring and are not verified by The Meridian.
• Sources last checked 15 Nov 2026.

Meridian transactions

• TLG Capital invests in Koolboks’ operations in Nigeria
• Circle Ventures invests in CrissCross’ operations in Africa
• Dangote acquires 25% of Kenya Pipeline Company
• Kenya signs US$160m Thamani Asili conservation finance programme with donor group
• Dangote Group acquires a 24.76% interest in Kenya Pipeline Company for KSh 42.5 billion
• Fortis Green Renewables and Zeitinger Invest invest in GRIPS Energy Group’s operations in sub-Saharan Africa

Meridian articles

• Courts, not registries, are setting Africa’s IP agenda: Meridian IP Intelligence, October 2026
• The Meridian Watchlist: the October dates that will move Africa’s deal record
• Dangote breaks ground at Lamu while a Kenyan court keeps the refinery site frozen until 14 October
• Quickmart’s owner plans to sell half the chain on the NSE in a private-equity exit through Nairobi
• Data centres are becoming Africa’s fastest-emerging M&A vertical, and the legal work is different
• Five counsel, three continents, one transaction: the Canal+ / MultiChoice panel is the new normal