Kenya’s market and workforce draw global investors, says World Bank director
By Kenneth Mwenda, March 25, 2026Kenya has once again been singled out as a top destination for investors, with the World Bank pointing to its strong fundamentals and growing market potential.
Speaking on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, World Bank Country Director Qimiao Fan outlined what attracts investors to a country. He cited political and economic stability, consistent policies, sizeable markets, affordable skilled labour, and reliable infrastructure as the main drivers of investment decisions.
Fan said Kenya meets many of these conditions. He described the country as East Africa’s largest economy, noting that it recorded a GDP of about Ksh16 trillion ($125 billion) in 2024 and is expected to exceed Ksh16.8 trillion ($130 billion) in 2025.
“That’s a very sizable market,” he said.
He added that Kenya’s position as a regional hub strengthens its appeal. The country serves as a gateway to East Africa, a region with more than 300 million people. It also benefits from trade agreements with markets in Asia, Europe, and North America, giving investors based in Kenya wider access.
“It is not just the Kenyan market… it is actually the global market,” Fan said, stressing the importance of that reach.
World Bank’s Human Capital Index
Fan also pointed to the country’s workforce as a key advantage. He said Kenya ranks highly on the World Bank’s Human Capital Index, supported by a strong education system and an entrepreneurial population. He highlighted mobile payment platforms such as M-Pesa, noting their widespread use.
“Kenya ranks the highest on the World Bank’s Human Capital Index. You have a fantastic education system. And that population has not just people who can do jobs,” he said.
“They also have this tremendous entrepreneurial spirit. If you look at Kenya’s mobile payment services and M-Pesa, it’s everywhere. And Kenya is a frontrunner in that area.”
Infrastructure has also improved, particularly in transport, according to Fan. He said these gains have strengthened the country’s investment case over the past decade. He further noted that more than 93 per cent of Kenya’s energy comes from renewable sources, describing this as “a huge advantage for manufacturers” seeking sustainable production.
The World Bank has backed its assessment with funding. Fan revealed that the bank’s active investment portfolio in Kenya stands at about Ksh900 ($7) billion. Its private sector arm, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), has committed around $1.3 billion, while the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) continues to provide guarantees to investors.
Fan ended with a direct message to investors.
“This is the place to come if you want to help the country develop and if you want to make money,” he said.