Kenya could create up to 7.7 million additional jobs by 2035 if it implements ambitious anti-corruption reforms, according to a new World Bank report.
The November 2026 Kenya Economic Update estimates that tackling corruption could increase the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 22.3 per cent by 2035 compared to a scenario where no reforms are implemented.
The report identifies corruption as a major obstacle to business growth and employment, noting that 39 per cent of Kenyan firms considered it a significant business constraint in 2025.
It further reveals that 36 per cent of businesses experienced at least one bribery request in the previous year, while informal workers lose up to 20 per cent of their daily earnings through bribes demanded by frontline government officials.
The World Bank has recommended increased transparency in public procurement, stronger accountability mechanisms and digitisation of government services to curb corruption and improve the business environment.
Kenya is targeting a 16.8 per cent increase in tourist arrivals from the United Kingdom, with the number expected to rise to 199,645 visitors by the end of 2026.
The target represents an increase from the 170,936 UK visitors recorded in 2025.
Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) Chief Executive Officer June Chepkemei says the country is leveraging the ongoing World Travel Market (WTM) London 2026 to strengthen partnerships and attract more visitors from the European market.
More than 40 Kenyan tourism trade partners are participating in the exhibition to showcase the country’s diverse tourism products and investment opportunities.
Europe accounted for 28.67 per cent of Kenya’s international tourist arrivals in 2025, translating to 691,194 visitors and making it the country’s second-largest source market after Africa.
The government is seeking partnerships with development partners and capital markets to mobilise funding for sustainable infrastructure and climate-related projects.
National Environment Trust Fund Chief Executive Officer Samson Toniok says technical assistance, financial guarantees and risk-sharing instruments will be critical in attracting investments into viable green projects.
Toniok notes that such partnerships will help address financing barriers that have continued to slow the implementation of environmentally sustainable projects.
The initiative seeks to translate Kenya’s climate commitments into practical investments and measurable outcomes through increased access to sustainable financing.
The government is encouraging farmers to diversify their agricultural production as part of efforts to secure reliable markets and improve household earnings.
Speaking in Chuka, food security official in the Office of the Deputy President Dorothy Nditi said Kenya has adequate food production but farmers continue to face challenges accessing markets for their produce.
Nditi also highlighted challenges affecting the muguka market, noting that the government is encouraging farmers to explore alternative cash crops to reduce overreliance on the crop.
The move is aimed at expanding farmers’ income opportunities, strengthening agricultural value chains and ensuring they have access to more reliable markets.
South Africa’s Nedbank Group has completed the acquisition of a 66 per cent controlling stake in NCBA Group PLC, marking a major development in Kenya’s banking sector.
The acquisition was finalised after Nedbank secured 1.087 billion ordinary shares from shareholders who accepted its offer.
The transaction gives Nedbank majority ownership of the Kenyan lender, while other shareholders retain a 34 per cent stake.
Following the acquisition, NCBA appointed Nedbank Group Chief Financial Officer Michael Howard Davis and Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking Chief Executive Anél Bosman as non-executive directors, effective November 3, 2026.
The lender also appointed Esther Wanjiku Kungu as its Group Company Secretary.
Despite the change in majority ownership, NCBA will remain listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), with trading resuming on November 3 following a temporary suspension to facilitate the completion of the transaction.
