A recent market perception survey by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has listed sectors expected to hire more Kenyans in 2025.
According to CBK, respondents were asked whether they expected to increase their number of employees in 2025 compared to 2024.
The results showed mixed expectations across both bank and non-bank institutions, with some sectors showing strong optimism while others signalled caution.
from the findings, CBK reported that banks, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors will offer more Jobs to Kenyans in 2025.
Why Top Sectors Will Hire More Employees
32 per cent of the respondents indicated that they would hire to support business expansion, replace existing staff and attract new talent.
Comparing expectations from the March 2025 survey to those of January, CBK notes that demand orders and production volumes are projected to rise in the next quarter.
However, growth in sales, as well as purchase and sales prices, are expected to decline—except in the agriculture sector, where respondents reported higher input costs.
Respondents anticipate improved economic performance in 2025, supported by a stronger agricultural sector, lower borrowing costs, and a stable macroeconomic environment.
Agriculture is expected to remain the key driver of growth, buoyed by favorable weather conditions and ongoing government reforms in the sector.
Meanwhile, the number of employees is expected to remain largely unchanged, except in the agriculture sector.
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CBK Reveals Banks and Agriculture Sectors Will Hire More in 2025
Employee intake is expected to be higher, in line with increased activity in the sector during the quarter supported by favorable long rains.
At the same time, banks largely expect to hire more employees in 2025 supported by continued branch expansion and growth in business launch of new products, and to replacing exiting staff.
However, most non-bank players had mixed expectations about hiring in 2025.
38 percent of the respondents indicated that they would not hire due to rising operational costs, increased taxes and levies, and delayed government payments.
Only 13% said they would definitely hire, 33% will probably hire, and 16% said they definitely won’t hire.
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Employment Expectations for 2025
Banks appear optimistic, with 32% of respondents indicating they will definitely increase employment, and 50% saying they probably will. Only 16% probably won’t, while 3% definitely won’t hire.
Agriculture shows that 22% say they will definitely hire, and 22% say they probably will. A significant 44% probably won’t hire, while 11% definitely won’t.
In manufacturing, expectations are cautious: 16% definitely will, and 32% probably will employ more staff, while 35% probably won’t, and 16% definitely won’t.
The trade sector reflects the highest pessimism, with only 5% definitely expecting to hire, 21% probably will, while 45% probably won’t, and 29% definitely won’t—the highest “definitely won’t” figure across all sectors.
Construction leans toward the negative as it will not definitely hire. In construction, 33% will probably hire, 33% probably won’t, and 33% definitely won’t.
In the transport sector, 38% will probably hire, 50% probably won’t, and 13% definitely won’t.
Hotels offer some hope, with 13% saying they will definitely hire, 40% saying they probably will, 32% probably won’t hire, and 12% definitely won’t.
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