Kenya Advanced Manufacturing

U.S. solutions that increase efficiency and maximize resources in the manufacturing process and related supply chain are attractive to Kenyan manufacturers, particularly as they search for innovations to bolster competitiveness in an increasingly fluid global trading landscape in 2020.  

The manufacturing sector is identified as one of four main areas of focus by the Kenyan government’s economic agenda and the local sector is experiencing an increase in international investment and domestic growth. Nairobi, Kenya is the regional business hub for East Africa.

Technology is the primary driver in shifting into advanced manufacturing for the country, which is supported by an increasingly competitive IT-focused skill set among Kenyan professionals. Kenya’s Ministry of Trade and Industrialization is focused on leveraging technology to accelerate the scaling of cottage industries, increasing value addition capacity, and making mid-scale manufacturers more competitive among regional peers. Moreover, the Kenyan Association of Manufacturers (KAM), the leading sector association in Kenya, lists advanced manufacturing as an area of focus and further investment for their members. KAM membership is comprised mostly of mid-level manufacturers, many of which are potential clients and partners for U.S companies.

The increased focus from both public and private sectors in Kenya creates an environment of opportunity for U.S. companies in the manufacturing value chain. Top prospect solutions include: supply chain management & integration, robotics, energy & energy management, data & analytics, and plant & equipment management, among others. These solutions will increase efficiency by creating data managed operations which offers better value for consumers and will serve as a catalyst for further growth for the industry.

For more information and to learn if your company’s advanced manufacturing solutions hold potential in Kenya, please contact the U.S. Commercial Service – Kenya Manufacturing Specialist Leone Mutoka (leone.mutoka@trade.gov).