Kenya Travel Guide

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Statistics

• GDP: US$30.57 billion (2009).
• Main exports: Tea, horticultural products, coffee, petroleum products and fish.
• Main imports: Machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum products, motor vehicles, iron and steel.
• Main trade partners: Africa (Uganda, Tanzania and South Africa), EU (UK and Netherlands), UAE, India and China.

Economy

The Kenyan economy is largely agricultural. Kenya is one of the few African countries with a significant dairy industry. It also has a sizeable manufacturing sector, which produces cement, paper, drinks, tobacco, textiles, rubber and metal products amongst other goods.

In the service sector, tourism is the largest industry and principal source of foreign exchange. Visitor numbers dipped to 1.4 million in 2008 when violence broke out after the 2007 elections, but the industry is now recovering.

Overall economic performance has been disappointing due to persistent government failures and corruption scandals, compounded by civil unrest. In 2009, inflation climbed to 20.5% and growth faltered around 2%. Unemployment is difficult to measure in Kenya, but was estimated as 40% in 2008.

Kenya is a member of the East African Community (EAC) together with Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. In 2006, Kenya signed a 20-year bilateral agreement with China for oil exploration. In the same year, the World Bank and IMF delayed loans to Kenya pending the introduction of anti-corruption measures. Little action has been taken, but international financial institutions and donors have nonetheless resumed their support.

Business Etiquette

Normal courtesies should be shown when visiting local businesspeople. Almost all executives speak English. Suits are usually expected to be worn for meetings. Appointments are generally necessary.

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

Business Contacts

Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry
2nd Floor, 36 Ufanisi House, Haile Selassie Avenue, Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: (020) 240 2833.

Kenya Investment Authority
Kenya Railways Headquarters, 3rd Floor, Block D, Workshops Road, Haile Selassie Avenue, Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: (020) 222 1401.
Website: www.investmentkenya.com

The Kenyatta International Conference Center
Harambee Avenue, Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: (020) 224 7247.
Website: www.kicc.co.ke

Conferences & Conventions

Main urban centers, such as Mombasa and Nairobi, and most international hotels have conference facilities. Nairobi's Kenyatta International Conference Center is the country's largest facility.