Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in Kenya
Kenya: Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows was 1,503 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in Kenya, 1990–2024
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
Analysis
In 2024, foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in Kenya stood at 1,503.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.1% on the previous year and down 0.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in Kenya peaked at 2,234 in 2011 and was at its lowest, 2, in 1993.
Kenya ranks 92nd of 222 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in Kenya, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 57.1 | — |
| 1991 | 18.8 | -67.1% |
| 1992 | 6 | -68.1% |
| 1993 | 2 | -66.7% |
| 1994 | 4.3 | +115.0% |
| 1995 | 33 | +667.4% |
| 1996 | 10.55 | -68.0% |
| 1997 | 53 | +402.5% |
| 1998 | 11.41 | -78.5% |
| 1999 | 13.82 | +21.1% |
| 2000 | 110.91 | +702.4% |
| 2001 | 5.3 | -95.2% |
| 2002 | 27.63 | +421.0% |
| 2003 | 81.74 | +195.9% |
| 2004 | 46.06 | -43.6% |
| 2005 | 21.21 | -53.9% |
| 2006 | 50.67 | +138.9% |
| 2007 | 897.4 | +1670.9% |
| 2008 | 642.74 | -28.4% |
| 2009 | 1,855 | +188.6% |
| 2010 | 1,882 | +1.4% |
| 2011 | 2,234 | +18.7% |
| 2012 | 2,175 | -2.6% |
| 2013 | 1,978 | -9.0% |
| 2014 | 1,514 | -23.5% |
| 2015 | 1,464 | -3.3% |
| 2016 | 1,139 | -22.2% |
| 2017 | 1,404 | +23.3% |
| 2018 | 1,139 | -18.8% |
| 2019 | 1,098 | -3.6% |
| 2020 | 1,510 | +37.4% |
| 2021 | 1,406 | -6.9% |
| 2022 | 1,597 | +13.6% |
| 2023 | 1,504 | -5.8% |
| 2024 | 1,503 | -0.1% |
Kenya compared with similar countries
- Kenya's 1,503 is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 936.46, 1.6× the median. (43 countries reporting)
- Kenya's 1,503 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 596.7, 2.5× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in Kenya changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | +1670.9% | 50.67 | 897.4 |
| 2000 | +702.4% | 13.82 | 110.91 |
| 1995 | +667.4% | 4.3 | 33 |
| 2002 | +421.0% | 5.3 | 27.63 |
| 1997 | +402.5% | 10.55 | 53 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 21 | 2 | 57.1 | 10 |
| 2000s | 373.88 | 5.3 | 1,855 | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,603 | 1,098 | 2,234 | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,504 | 1,406 | 1,597 | 5 |
Countries ranked near Kenya
- 89 Jordan 1,635 compare
- 90 Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) 1,633 compare
- 91 Mauritania 1,531 compare
- 93 Iran (Islamic Republic of) 1,449 compare
- 94 Algeria 1,439 compare
- 95 North Macedonia 1,358 compare
More economy & growth data for Kenya
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 3.28 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 5.26 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps 417.66 million BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0035 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 7.4 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled 463.44 million BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual -8.77 % change on previous year (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0038 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 8.21 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 23.12 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in Kenya?
- Foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in Kenya was 1,503 in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows recorded in Kenya?
- The highest recorded value was 2,234 in 2011.
- What is the lowest foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows recorded in Kenya?
- The lowest recorded value was 2 in 1993.
- How does Kenya rank for foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows?
- Kenya ranks 92nd out of 222 countries with data for 2024.
- Is foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows rising or falling in Kenya?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Kenya data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows (millions of United States dollars). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 35 observations, free to reuse under UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested).