Kenya's import bill in Q3 2025 surged to Sh725 billion, driven largely by a massive increase in imports of industrial machinery, iron, and steel. This indicates significant expansion in the country's industrial and construction sectors, signaling a focus on infrastructure and capital investment.

• The national import bill increased by 7.4 percent compared to Q3 2024.
• Expenditure on imported industrial machinery exploded by 94.8 percent, and iron and steel imports rose by 41 percent.
• The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) released the data in its latest Balance of Payments Statistical Release.
• The construction sector rebounded by 6.7 percent, and manufacturing maintained a 2.5 percent growth rate.
• Imports of sugars, molasses, and honey skyrocketed by 88.4 percent, while medicinal and pharmaceutical products decreased by 32.1 percent.
• Non-food industrial supplies accounted for the largest share of the total import bill at 34.4 percent.