Kenya Announces Historic Ksh1 Trillion Diaspora Remittances Reach in 2025
Kenya has received Ksh1 trillion from its diaspora citizens, marking a historic milestone in the country’s fiscal landscape.
Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Minister of Foreign Affairs, made the news, stressing that the figure was as of November of this year and could climb.
Mudavadi lauded the achievement as a huge boost to Kenya’s economy and a demonstration of the government’s dedication to diaspora care and engagement.
The PCS addressed the Third Quarterly Media Briefing on Foreign Policy, which was held at the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs headquarters.
“Diaspora remittances remain a vital pillar of our economy, providing financial support to households while directly contributing to national development,” he said.
“These resources are essential in complementing our economic strategies and advancing Kenya’s growth agenda,” Mudavadi added.
According to the Ministry, the success was aided by an increase in the number of Kenyans working abroad, with 430,000 Kenyans finding jobs abroad through Bilateral Labour Agreements (BLAs) since 2023.
Another factor contributing to the success was access to thousands of digital jobs made possible by programs such as the Ajira Digital Programme.
According to Central Bank of Kenya data, diaspora remittances totalled Ksh543.3 billion in 2023, Ksh651.7 billion in 2024, and a record-breaking Ksh1 trillion this year.
High diaspora remittances help to enhance foreign exchange reserves and the shilling, as Mudavadi pointed out.
Furthermore, high inflows from overseas contribute to economic growth and stability, encourage investment and entrepreneurship, enhance credit availability, and cushion against economic shocks.
Kenya’s diaspora remittances are primarily from the United States, accounting for 50 to 55 percent of overall remittances. Monthly remittances now consistently exceed $400 million (Ksh 51.7 billion).
Remittances have exceeded profits from Kenya’s traditional exports, such as tea and horticulture, as a source of foreign money.
Meanwhile, Mudavadi insisted that the government would continue to provide an enabling environment that protects Kenyan workers overseas while maximising the benefits of their efforts.
Kenya Announces Historic Ksh1 Trillion Diaspora Remittances Reach in 2025
