Kenya’s private sector nudged back into expansion territory during July, signalling a gentle awakening for local commercial demand.
The Stanbic Bank Kenya Purchasing Managers’ Index edged up to 51.3 from June’s flat reading of 50.0 points.
This headline rise suggests that buyer appetite is gradually reviving across key regional commercial avenues.
However, stubborn inflationary pressures and persistent logistical bottlenecks continue to restrict the market’s true momentum.
Stanbic Bank economist Christopher Legilisho confirmed that underlying cost burdens still significantly constrain broader enterprise activity.
Official statistics show year-on-year inflation ticked upward slightly, rising to 6.5 percent from June’s 6.4 percent level.
Despite these immediate headwinds, Kenya’s finance ministry projects steady economic expansion over the coming fiscal horizons.
Government forecasts target domestic economic growth reaching 5.1 percent in 2027 and advancing further to 5.2 percent in 2028.