Kenya R&D Spending
Research and development expenditure as % of GDP GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS
Kenya's r&d spending was 0.66% in 2025, ranked 45th globally. This represents a 18.8% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2007–2025.
Overview
Kenya's r&d spending stood at 0.66% in 2025, a decline of +0.15% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.66% by 2025. Kenya ranked 45th globally.
Kenya’s gross domestic expenditure on research and development (R&D) has risen steadily from 0.36 percent of GDP in 2007, the all‑time trough, to 0.66 percent in 2025, placing the country 45th worldwide. The upward trajectory peaked in 2023 at 0.81 percent, the highest level recorded in the series, before moderating over the most recent five‑year coverage window. Compared with peers of similar ranking, Kenya trails Uruguay’s 0.74 percent and Malta’s 0.69 percent, yet exceeds Argentina’s 0.60 percent and South Africa’s 0.56 percent, suggesting a middle‑of‑the‑road performance within the group. The gradual lift reflects expanded university research programmes and modest growth in private‑sector innovation, but the dip from the 2023 peak indicates fiscal constraints and limited private R&D investment. Continued policy emphasis on science‑technology partnerships and increased public funding could sustain the current upward trend and move Kenya closer to the higher levels achieved by its better‑performing peers.
Data & projection
| Year | R&D Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 0.67% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.66% | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.66% | −0.15% | #45 |
| 2023 | 0.81% | +0.40% | #5 |
| 2022 | 0.41% | −0.28% | #50 |
| 2010 | 0.69% | +0.34% | #41 |
| 2007 | 0.36% | – | #60 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Kenya matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2008. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw r&d spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Kenya's r&d spending was 0.66% in 2025. Ranked 45th globally. This represents a 18.8% decrease from the previous year.
Kenya's r&d spending peaked at 0.81% in 2023.
The lowest r&d spending in Kenya was 0.36% in 2007.
Kenya ranks 45th globally in r&d spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Kenya's r&d spending is projected to reach 0.66% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The r&d spending of Kenya in 2025 was 0.66%. This ranks 45th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_kenya_rd-spending,
title = {Kenya R&D Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/kenya/rd-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}