NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya has crossed a major economic milestone after receiving Sh1 trillion in diaspora remittances from its citizens working and living abroad — the highest ever in the country’s history.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi announced the record inflows on Wednesday during the Third Quarterly Media Briefing on Foreign Policy at the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs headquarters in Nairobi.
Mudavadi described the achievement as a “landmark contribution” to Kenya’s economy, underscoring the growing impact of the diaspora community on national development.
“Diaspora remittances remain a vital pillar of our economy, providing financial support to households while directly contributing to national development,” Mudavadi said. “These resources are essential in complementing our economic strategies and advancing Kenya’s growth agenda.”
According to the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), diaspora inflows stood at Sh543.3 billion in 2023, rising to Sh651.7 billion in 2024, before hitting Sh1 trillion by November 2025.
The Ministry attributed the surge to a steady rise in Kenyans working abroad, facilitated through Bilateral Labour Agreements (BLAs), which have enabled more than 430,000 citizens to secure jobs overseas since 2023.
In addition, digital work initiatives such as the Ajira Digital Programme have opened up thousands of online employment opportunities for Kenyans globally, boosting foreign inflows.
High diaspora remittances have become a lifeline for the Kenyan economy, bolstering foreign exchange reserves, stabilising the shilling, and supporting investment and entrepreneurship.
CBK data indicates that the United States remains Kenya’s largest source of remittances, contributing between 50 and 55pc of total inflows. Monthly remittances now average over $400 million (Sh51.7 billion).
Analysts note that diaspora earnings have now surpassed traditional export revenues from sectors like tea and horticulture, cementing their position as Kenya’s top source of foreign exchange.
Mudavadi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare of Kenyans abroad while maximising the benefits of their contributions.
“Our focus remains on creating an enabling environment that protects the rights of Kenyan workers abroad while ensuring their remittances drive meaningful socio-economic transformation,” he said.
The milestone comes as the government deepens efforts to integrate diaspora engagement into its economic diplomacy agenda, viewing Kenyans abroad as key development partners in the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
