Kenya personal sector exercise expands at slower tempo in December, PMI reveals

NAIROBI (Reuters) – Kenya’s personal sector exercise expanded very barely in December, with progress slowing somewhat from a month earlier however remaining supported by elevated buyer gross sales, a survey confirmed on Monday.

The Stanbic Financial institution Kenya Buying Managers’ Index (PMI) dipped to 50.6 in December from 50.9 a month earlier. Readings above 50.0 sign an enlargement in exercise.

“Positively, that is the primary quarter of enlargement in output since (the fourth quarter of 2021), suggesting that the personal sector is displaying indicators of turning round with new orders and employment additionally in expansionary territory,” stated Christopher Legilisho, an economist at Stanbic Financial institution.

The economic system is estimated to have grown 5.2% in 2024 and projected to increase 5.4% in 2025, the finance ministry says. The economic system grew 5.6% in 2023.