NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 5 – The government has launched a comprehensive industry mapping and geo-location exercise in Nairobi in a bid to accelerate the country’s manufacturing growth and economic development.
Presiding over the launch, Industrialization Secretary Erastus Gatebe said the initiative is anchored on the creation of Kenya’s Industrial Database and Directory, a move he said is critical for strategic planning and informed resource allocation within the sector.
“Currently, there is no database to profile industries. This new mapping will catapult manufacturers into new markets, thereby fostering sustainable and balanced economic growth,” Gatebe stated.
The project is funded by the World Bank and will be carried out in partnership with the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) and the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI).
The mapping will span all 147 sub-counties in Nairobi.
According to the government, Nairobi currently hosts 80 percent of the country’s industrial activity, with the remaining 20 percent spread across the rest of the country.
Metropolitan areas surrounding the capital, such as Kiambu County, account for a significant portion of this remaining share.
The government has set ambitious targets to grow the manufacturing sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the current 7.6 percent to 15 percent by 2027 and 20 percent by 2030.
Gatebe emphasized that mapping Kenya’s manufacturing capabilities is a critical step toward achieving these goals, as it will provide a clearer picture of the industry’s landscape and needs.
“The effects of this initiative will be far-reaching and vital in positioning Kenya as a manufacturing powerhouse in the region,” he said.
