By Steve El Sabai
Nairobi, May 12, 2025
In a landmark step toward the modernization of Kenya’s manufacturing sector, the Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry, through its State Department for Industry, has officially launched a comprehensive 15-day mapping and geo-location exercise targeting industrial establishments across Nairobi City County. The initiative is a collaborative undertaking with the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) and Kenya Industrial Estates (KIE).
The flag-off event, held at the State Department’s offices, was graced by a representative of the Principal Secretary for Industry, who delivered the official speech on behalf of the PS. The address emphasized the strategic importance of data-driven industrial development in driving Kenya’s long-term economic transformation.
This pivotal exercise aims to create a robust and up-to-date industrial database and directory that will underpin policy formulation, guide investment decisions, and enhance targeted support for manufacturers. It aligns directly with the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), Kenya Vision 2030, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) implementation framework.
Throughout the 15-day period, dedicated field teams will conduct detailed data collection and geo-coding across industrial establishments in Nairobi. The information to be gathered includes operational capacity, workforce statistics, production activities, value chains, and the key constraints limiting sectoral growth. The use of integrated survey and geospatial technologies will facilitate the development of a dynamic geo-database and both digital and physical directories of industries.
The initiative addresses a longstanding data deficit that has hindered evidence-based planning and policy execution in Kenya’s industrial sector. By capturing accurate, real-time data, the government aims to unlock untapped potential, foster industrial clustering, identify infrastructure gaps, and support modernization and expansion efforts.
Kenya’s manufacturing sector, which serves as a catalyst for employment creation, value addition, and economic diversification, has long operated under fragmented or outdated datasets. This initiative represents a strategic intervention to reengineer the sector through enhanced planning, responsive policy frameworks, and targeted development.
The successful implementation of this project depends on the collaboration of multiple institutions and stakeholders. Technical teams from the State Department, KNBS, and KIE are tasked with executing the fieldwork with precision, professionalism, and integrity. Their efforts will lay the groundwork for an inclusive and resilient industrial ecosystem.
Equally crucial is the active cooperation of Nairobi’s industrial players, whose participation will ensure the credibility and accuracy of the data collected. Their input will shape future government interventions, access to finance, workforce development, and improved industrial infrastructure.
As this comprehensive mapping initiative gets underway, it stands as a bold testament to Kenya’s commitment to building a smarter, more competitive, and sustainable industrial economy. The insights gained will provide a strategic foundation for policy formulation, industrial upgrading, and investment attraction—ushering in a new era of industrial transformation.
