Over 600 CEOs Reveal Sectors That Will Hire More Kenyans In 2025
In the survey, respondents were asked whether they expected to increase the number of employees in 2025 relative to 2024.
Marvin Chege 
The banking sector is expected to hire more Kenyans in 2025 than any other sector, according to a recent Market Perception Survey by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).
A report was released on Thursday, April 17, from the survey, which targeted Chief Executives and other senior officers of 353 private sector firms comprising 37 commercial banks, 14 microfinance banks (MFBs) and 302 non-bank private firms, including 84 hotels, through questionnaires administered online, via email and hard copies.
The overall response rate to the March 2025 Survey was 71 per cent of the sampled institutions. The respondents comprised 37 commercial banks, 13 micro-finance banks, and 202 other non-bank private sector firms.
In the survey, respondents were asked whether they expected to increase the number of employees in 2025 relative to 2024. The results, however, showed mixed expectations by banks and non-banks.
Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) building in Nairobi. /FILE
While others were playing it safe, CBK came through with bold optimism, saying Kenya’s banking, agriculture, and manufacturing industries are set to create more jobs in 2025.
Banks largely expect to hire more employees in 2025, supported by continued branch expansion and growth in the business launch of new products, and to replace exiting staff.
Non-bank players had mixed expectations about hiring in 2025. 38 per cent of the respondents indicated that they would not hire due to rising operational costs, increased taxes and levies, and delayed government payments. Only 13 percent stated that they would definitely hire, 33 percent will probably hire, and 16 percent revealed they definitely won’t hire.
Banks are feeling slightly upbeat; 32 percent of respondents say they’re definitely hiring, and 50 percent say they’ll probably bring more people on board. Only 16 percent probably won’t hire, and just 3 percent are a hard no.
Agriculture is, however, split down the middle. About 22 percent say they’ll definitely hire, and another 22 percent say they probably will. But 44 percent are leaning toward not hiring, and 11 percent are flat-out not planning to.
Manufacturing is playing it safe. Just 16 percent say they’ll definitely hire, 32 percent say probably, while 35 percent probably won’t, and 16 percent definitely won’t.
The trade sector is however assured of not making any new hires. Only five percent are sure they’ll hire, and 21 percent say they probably will. But 45 percent probably won’t, and a hefty 29 percent definitely won’t — the most negative outlook of all sectors.
It is uncertain for the construction sector as players are split into three. 33 percent probably will, 33 percent probably won’t, and 33 percent definitely won’t. The transport sector is different, as about 38 percent might hire, but 50 percent probably won’t, and 13 percent definitely won't hire.
Hotels show a glimmer of hope. Around 13 percent are down to hiring, 40 percent are assured of hiring. However, 32 percent probably won’t hire, and 12 percent will definitely not hire.
Managers say business activity is set to pick up, thanks to the ongoing rains hitting different parts of the country. Comparing the March 2025 outlook to January, CBK sees a boost coming in demand and production levels for the next quarter.
However, sales growth and price changes—both for purchases and sales—are expected to slow down, with the one exception being agriculture, where input costs are climbing.
Still, there’s optimism for 2025. Respondents are betting on better overall economic performances this year, thanks to a stronger farming sector, cheaper loans, and a steady macroeconomic backdrop.
Agriculture is expected to lead the charge, powered by good weather conditions and fresh reforms from the government.
