Nipate

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. and Ghana (50.1) registered slight improvement. South Africa remained the only major economy in contraction with a PMI of 49.0.