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An Export-led Growth for Kenya: Where is the niche?

Author

Listed:
  • Manaseh O. Oiro
  • Bernadette Wanjala
  • Rose Ngugi
  • Diana Lukalo Naudé

    (KIPPRA
    Research Associate)

Abstract

Structural Transformations has been identified as a solution to Africa’s over reliance on agriculture and natural resource for strong economic growth and development. To this end, Kenya adopted the Kenya Vision 2030, an economic blueprint, to guide the transition to a newly industrializing middle-income country providing a high quality of life to its citizens by the year 2030. Achievement of this goal is hinged on diversification of the economy from agriculture to manufacturing and development of an export-oriented economy. The process of structural transformation entails the accumulation of skills and capabilities that can help an economy move from production of low complexity agricultural products to high complexity manufactured products and creating broad based employment opportunities for all its citizens. This study utilizes the economic complexity methodology to identify frontier products that could improve the country’s export portfolio while at the same time promoting inclusive growth and providing broad-based employment.

Suggested Citation

  • Manaseh O. Oiro & Bernadette Wanjala & Rose Ngugi & Diana Lukalo Naudé, 2019. "An Export-led Growth for Kenya: Where is the niche?," Working Papers idrcdprukenya, University of Cape Town, Development Policy Research Unit.
    • Handle: RePEc:ctw:wpaper:idrcdprukenya
    as

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    File URL: http://www.dpru.uct.ac.za/sites/default/files/image_tool/images/36/Publications/Other/Kenya_Economic%20Complexity%20Paper_8July2019.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ricardo Hausmann & Jasmina Chauvin, 2015. "Moving to the Adjacent Possible: Discovering Paths for Export Diversification in Rwanda," CID Working Papers 294, Center for International Development at Harvard University.
    2. Cesar A. Hidalgo & Ricardo Hausmann, 2009. "The Building Blocks of Economic Complexity," Papers 0909.3890, arXiv.org.
    3. C. A. Hidalgo & B. Klinger & A. -L. Barabasi & R. Hausmann, 2007. "The Product Space Conditions the Development of Nations," Papers 0708.2090, arXiv.org.
    4. Hausmann, Ricardo & Cunningham, Brad & Matovu, John & Osire, Rosie & Wyett, Kelly, 2014. "How Should Uganda Grow?," Working Paper Series rwp14-004, Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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