The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) ranked Kenya 115 out of 152 countries in its industrialisation ranking. Kenya was placed among the Other Developing Economy category.
This is a drop from 2016, where Kenya was ranked 113 out of 152 nations in industrialisation.
The UN ranks the 152 countries in four categories- Industrialised Country, Emerging Industrialised Countries, Other Developing Economy and Least Developed Countries.
Kenya, Angola, Swaziland, Algeria and Ghana are among the Other Developing Economies.
"The Gross Domestic Product of Kenya is at $75.6 billion (Ksh 8 trillion) translating to 1,470 per capita. The manufacturing sector added approximately 8.49% to this while manufacturing exports were 34.98% of local production," UNIDO analysed.
GDP per capita is a metric that breaks down a country's economic output per person and is calculated by dividing the GDP of a country by its population.
The body explained that no country in Africa is categorized as an Industrialised country yet. However, five countries in the continent are categorised as Emerging Industrialised Countries.
These five include South Africa, Tunisia, Egypt, Mauritius and Nigeria.
14 countries in Africa are categorised as at Least Developed Countries. Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Madagascar, Mozambique and Malawi fall under this category.
Kenya Association of Manufacturers CEO Phyllis Wakiaga noted that building competitiveness of the manufacturing sector remains a core business of the Association and hoped that it will push Kenya to a higher ranking.
"'Kenya has come a long way in terms of creating a conducive business environment that will nurture local industries and attract Foreign Direct Investment," KAM Chairman Mucai Kunyiha added.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has repeatedly emphasised his commitment to spearheading an industrial development agenda that will accelerate the country’s economic growth. While taking office in 2013, he stated that he will focus on local production-oriented industrial revolution that will create a strong manufacturing base.
