Kenya has cemented its position as Africa’s top-performing private sector in November, recording the continent’s strongest expansion among eight major economies tracked by S&P Global’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) surveys.

The country posted a headline PMI of 55.0, the highest in five years and a sharp rise from 52.5 in October, firmly placing it ahead of all monitored peers. A reading above 50 signals improving business conditions, underscoring the strength of Kenya’s momentum.

“Kenya recorded the strongest private sector expansion among eight major African economies in November, as business activity accelerated across the region, according to the latest Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) surveys published by S&P Global.

Strongest private-sector expansion

Kenya’s surge was powered by the fastest rise in new orders and output since 2019, supported by stronger customer purchasing power, easing inflation, successful product launches and improved supplier delivery times.

Firms across manufacturing, services, construction, agriculture and retail responded with increased input buying, broad inventory rebuilding and faster employment growth.

“Kenya’s economy is moving with purpose, and the numbers are beginning to show it,” the National Treasury said in an X post on December 7, 2025.

The statement highlighted “the strongest private-sector growth in the region, rising business confidence across sectors, improved economic stability supporting expansion, and ongoing reforms driving real economic activity.”

The Finance in Africa report showed Kenya outperforming Uganda, which scored 53.8, and Nigeria at 53.6. Zambia and Egypt posted 51.1 each, while Mozambique (50.8) and Ghana (50.1) registered slight improvement. South Africa remained the only major economy in contraction with a PMI of 49.0.

Regional recovery gains momentum

Across the continent, November brought renewed private-sector resilience. Egypt’s non-oil sector returned to growth for the first time in nine months, buoyed by expanding output and a rebound in new business after prolonged decline.

“Historically speaking, the latest PMI reading signals that year-on-year GDP growth could rise above 5% in the fourth quarter,” said David Owen, senior economist at S&P Global.

Nigeria extended its growth streak to twelve months, supported by new product launches and softer inflation. Zambia recorded gains despite persistent energy constraints, while Mozambique reached a nine-month high on renewed demand.

The regional improvement aligns with the World Bank’s Africa’s Pulse report projecting sub-Saharan Africa’s GDP growth to rise from 3.5% in 2024 to 3.8% in 2025 and average 4.4% in 2026–2027 as inflation stabilises and economic conditions improve.

For Kenya, the November PMI surge signals a decisive rebound from earlier protest-related disruptions and confirms the private sector is operating at full strength, positioning the country to lead Africa into a stronger growth phase.