The manufacturing sector has a major role to play in Kenya’s economic development, with a projected 20% contribution to the GDP by 2022 (according to the government’s Big Four action plan). Because it currently makes up only 9.2% of the GDP, the sector has a very short period to achieve this ambitious goal. This study has explored the productivity and competitiveness of the manufacturing sector in Kenya, as well as the role of new technologies in improving the sector and the state of adoption and use of these new technologies.
For this study, respondents from 96 companies across 12 sectors of the manufacturing and 3 counties were interviewed. One of the major factors identified as a hindrance to growth is the state of the automation in the sector.
