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The Government of Kenya has officially launched a nationwide industry mapping and geo-location exercise in Nairobi, a strategic move aimed at strengthening the country’s manufacturing sector and enhancing economic development.
Speaking during the launch, Industrialization Secretary Erastus Gatebe said the initiative is anchored on the development of the Kenya Industrial Database and Directory, which will serve as a central repository of information on industrial activities across the country.
“Currently, there is no comprehensive database to profile industries in Kenya. This mapping exercise will provide critical insights that will enable manufacturers to access new markets, leading to sustainable and balanced economic growth,” said Gatebe.
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The project, which is being funded by the World Bank, will be undertaken in collaboration with the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) and the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI).
It will cover all 147 sub-counties within Nairobi County.
According to government data, Nairobi currently accounts for 80 percent of Kenya’s industrial activities, while the remaining 20 percent is spread across other parts of the country.
Metropolitan counties such as Kiambu claim a significant portion of this industrial footprint.
The government has set a target to increase 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. Officials believe that a detailed understanding of the country’s industrial landscape will be key to achieving this goal.
