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# [KENYA / AFRICA] Economic Survey 2026: 822,100 Jobs Created and GDP at KSh 17.6 Trillion, But Public Debt Exceeds KSh 11,400 Billion
- URL: https://businessoi.media/en/kenya-afrique-economic-survey-2026-822-100-emplois-crees-et-pib-a-17-600-milliards-de-shillings-mais-la-dette-publique-depasse-11-400-milliards-en/
- Published: 2026-08-08T02:47:26.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-08T02:47:26.000Z
- Description: KNBS confirms +4.6% growth in 2025 and 822,100 jobs created. But public debt exceeds KSh 11,400 billion — interest payments alone eclipse the combined health and housing budgets. Full breakdown of Kenya's 2026 Economic Survey.
- Author: Emmanuel TAOCHY
- Tags: Kenya, Afrique, Économie, emploi, Bourse, Revue matinale, #en

**Kenya's National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) released its annual economic survey in early May 2026\. The country posted 4.6% growth in 2025, created 822,100 jobs and saw its stock market soar. But behind these positive indicators looms a record public debt of KSh 11,400 billion, with interest payments alone surpassing the combined health and housing budgets.**

## 4.6% growth driven by diverse sectors

Kenya's economy grew 4.6% in 2025 (down from 4.7% in 2024), lifting nominal GDP to KSh 17.6 trillion. Top-performing sectors were accommodation and food services (+15.6%), mining and quarrying (+14.9%, reversing a -7.8% contraction in 2024) and financial services (+6.5%). Inflation eased to 4.1%, driven by lower energy prices.

## 822,100 jobs created, but 84% in the informal sector

The economy generated 822,100 net jobs in 2025, bringing total employment to 21.6 million. But 83.8% of these workers operate in the informal sector — 18.1 million individuals. The formal sector accounts for only 3.31 million jobs, highlighting the limits of structural transformation.

## Nairobi stock exchange surges 56%

The NSE-20 index soared 56% year-on-year, reflecting renewed investor confidence. The shilling appreciated, though monetary transmission remains incomplete: despite the policy rate being cut from 11.25% to 9%, bank lending rates only fell from 16.89% to 14.82%.

## The debt shadow

Kenya's public debt stands at KSh 11,400 billion. Annual interest payments — KSh 851 billion — alone exceed the combined health and housing budgets. Meanwhile, manufacturing grew only 2%, its weakest pace in five years — a warning signal for large-scale formal job creation.

## Why it matters

Kenya remains the undisputed engine of East Africa. But its growth model shows its limits: a dominant informal economy, sluggish industry and a debt burden squeezing fiscal space. For Indian Ocean regional investors, macro-financial stability is real — but vigilance on debt sustainability is essential. The country has the fundamentals to accelerate, provided it secures its public finances.