Kenya

In 2023, Kenya’s economy grew by 4.7%, outperforming the average for the Middle East and Africa, driven by private spending, public consumption and a recovery in tourism. Despite challenges like high public debt and cost of living increases, the…

Kenya’s sun care market saw consumers shift in line with prevailing industry-wide trends in 2023, as demand for cruelty-free, eco-friendly, and natural and organic ingredients continued to rise. Consumers are also seeking multifunctional variants,…

Skin care saw Garnier introduce its green beauty concept in Kenya in 2023, addressing the rising demand for naturally sourced products. Garnier’s global president emphasised the brand's commitment to green science and sustainability during the launch…

Premium beauty and personal care in Kenya suffered from high inflation in 2023, continuing from 2022, leaving consumers with limited budgets – especially those in lower-income segments – and encouraging a shift away from premium-positioned products…

In 2023, Eezi Oral Hygiene Brands launched in oral care in Kenya, with toothpaste tablets in line with current environmental concerns. These tablets, activated by saliva and clinically approved, offer an eco-friendly and water-free oral care…

Men’s grooming in Kenya in 2023 benefited from local men’s rising interest and greater investment in self-care and maintenance. Skin care has become a notable trend, enhanced by pandemic era when consumers were spending more time at home and paying…

Mass beauty and personal care in Kenya in 2023 saw demand driven largely by low- and mid-income consumers. Mass products’ relative affordability held high appeal given high inflation across 2022 and 2023, with budget-conscious consumers seeking out…

Hair care in Kenya was home to the same trend towards naturalness found elsewhere in beauty and personal care in 2023. The increasing consumer demand for natural hair care products, and healthier, chemical-free lifestyles in general, is driving…

Fragrances in Kenya recorded steady, though low, volume growth in 2023, with sales supported by heightened consumer awareness of grooming, as well as by increased incomes. However, inflation has led local consumers to shift from premium to…

Depilatories in Kenya saw consumers shift away from traditional razors in 2023, with volume sales in women’s razors and blades continuing to decline. Concerns about cuts and injuries associated with mechanical hair removal methods have prompted a…

Deodorants in Kenya enjoyed positive growth in 2023, attributed to various factors including increased marketing efforts by players, which play a crucial role in creating awareness and driving consumer preferences – Nivea is an example of a brand…

Kenya’s colour cosmetics markets saw a continued shift towards online shopping in 2023, as the e-commerce channel expanded. The trend has been advancing during the review period, significantly accelerated by the global pandemic. Though growth for the…

Beauty and personal care in Kenya grew in 2023, though volume sales slowed compared to previous review period years. The industry has witnessed a rise in internet-based enterprises offering diverse beauty and personal care treatments and items online…

Bath and shower in 2023 saw PZ Cussons expand its Flamingo soap line in Kenya by introducing two new variants - Marula Oil and Honey, and Traditional Black Soap. The products are enriched with charcoal, cocoa butter, shea butter and marula oil,…

Baby and child-specific products was the home of controversy in Kenya in 2023. A lobby group, the African Centre for Corrective and Preventive Action (ACCPA), has filed a case seeking a ban on Johnson & Johnson baby powder in Kenya over alleged…

Wipes are extremely underdeveloped in Kenya, with close to all sales generated by baby wipes. There are no visible sales of household products; in addition, the consumer base is limited to urban middle- and upper-income consumer bases with higher…

Despite the increasing demand for toilet care in Kenya on account of the ongoing urbanisation trend, rim blocks and liquids have yet to gain popularity among local consumers. This underpins the still low demand and low visibility of these types of…

In Kenya, there is a growing demand for tissue and hygiene products as consumers become more hygiene-conscious and the middle classes expand. Volume sales have shown resilience in the face of global events like COVID-19 and the Ukraine-Russia war,…

Chandaria Industries has introduced a new product to surface care in Kenya. The company's Velvex oven cleaner is intended to meet the growing consumer demand for specific solutions to home cleaning needs. With only a limited number of brands offering…

In 2023, retail tissue in Kenya witnessed a significant slowdown in volume growth as rising prices of toilet paper weakened consumption. High inflation and pressures on household budgets created a challenging environment for the toilet paper…

Retail adult incontinence remains a very new concept in Kenya and thus it is still a relatively small category in tissue and hygiene. Whilst awareness is still low, there is a growing regard for the transformative impact of using adult incontinence…

Shoe polish continued to dominate the market size of polishes in Kenya and register the fastest retail volume and value growth at the end of the review period. However, retail volume and current value growth rates for shoe polish were slower in 2023,…

Rising inflation has forced consumers to switch to cheaper nappies/diaper/pants products in Kenya. On account of this, manufacturers have ramped up efforts to launch more affordable products, with a key focus on targeting young suburban mothers who…

Rising consumer awareness of menstrual health, together with the wider variety of sanitary products available in Kenya, is driving sales of menstrual care in 2023. Manufacturers commonly leverage mass media (including television, outdoor) and online…

Laundry care in Kenya has seen significant development. For example, LG Electronics tapped into the growing demand for laundry services in Mombasa by opening its first commercial laundry shop. This move is a response to the rising demand for…

There was a growing demand for home insecticides in Kenya in 2023. This was especially visible amongst the burgeoning urban population, supported by a rise in the disposable incomes of the country's growing middle-class consumer base. With improving…

Home care in Kenya has undergone significant shifts in the post-Coronavirus (COVID-19) period, reflecting increased awareness of sanitation and cleanliness to safeguard health and prevent the spread of diseases. The demand for home care products has…

In the highly competitive landscape of dishwashing in Kenya, brand owners actively targeted consumers with promotions and special offers and deals. Small-scale local manufacturers and consumers interested in do-it-yourself (DIY) were more inclined to…

Bleach in Kenya continued to be impacted by the issue of affordability in a tough economic climate at the end of the review period. Bleach products can be quite expensive, making it a challenging purchase option for lower-income consumers in the…

The away-from-home tissue and hygiene category in Kenya is a promising area with much potential for growth. Current volume and value growth is driven by the urbanisation trend with more businesses and services operating in urban centres. Following…

Air care in Kenya enjoyed further strong retail volume and current value growth in 2023, supported by fragrance innovations and a growing middle-class consumer base amid rising urbanisation. Considerable growth in the category was stimulated as…

While soft drinks in Kenya continued to develop positively in total volume sales terms in 2023, growth was weaker than in 2022. This was partly attributable to increasing maturity, but mainly due to the spike in inflation fuelled by the global…

While juice continued to expand in retail volume terms in 2023, growth was down substantially on 2022 and also lower than the CAGR for the entire review period. This was partly explained by increasing maturity, but mainly attributable to rising…

Energy drinks in Kenya recorded a modest slowdown in off-trade volume sales growth in 2023. This was partly the result of encroaching maturity, but also attributable to price hikes and falling purchasing power amidst persistently high inflation.…

Liquid concentrates in Kenya saw off-trade volume growth slow significantly in 2023. Given that these products are primarily consumed at home, this was partly explained by the return to regular routines in the aftermath of COVID-19. Similarly, as the…

Carbonates in Kenya showed another impressive performance in 2023, with off- and on-trade volume sales increasing at robust rates. Favourable demographic trends, rising urbanisation and the expansion of the country’s middle class continued to…

Growth in off-trade volume sales of bottled water in Kenya in 2023 was weaker than in 2022. This was partly due to the resumption of pre-pandemic routines, with retail demand slowing as people spent less time at home. The downturn was also…

Tea bags continued to gain ground at the expense of loose tea at the retail and foodservice levels in Kenya in 2023. Visible across all categories and brand ranges, this trend was mainly reflective of increasing appreciation for the greater…

Chocolate-based flavoured powder drinks was the most dynamic performer within other hot drinks in Kenya in retail volume growth terms in 2023. Together with the expansion of the country’s middle-income population, the enduring indulgence appeal of…

Hot drinks in Kenya showed a solid performance in 2023, with growth in total volume sales surpassing that recorded in 2022. This improvement was primarily driven by buoyant demand in tea, by far the largest of the three main categories, though coffee…

Coffee in Kenya showed another impressive performance in 2023, with total volume sales increasing at a faster rate than in 2022 and the fresh and instant categories both posting healthy growth at the retail and foodservice levels. These results were…

Wound care exhibited modest volume growth in 2023. In the inflationary climate, local brands have emerged as the preferred choice for consumers in lower income brackets, owing to their affordability and accessibility through traditional distribution…

Weight loss supplements accounted for the largest proportion of sales in 2023, partly due to the wider availability of brands and higher unit prices compared to slimming teas. With the rising cost of living, consumers are shifting their expenditure…

Vitamins is witnessing healthy volume growth in 2023 despite high inflation. Rising health consciousness in Kenya, which was bolstered by the pandemic, is leading to increased demand for vitamins. Multivitamins are one of the most popular products,…

In Kenya, sports nutrition is rapidly advancing and enjoyed robust current value growth in 2023. This momentum is driven by the rising health and wellness trend, with individuals increasingly acknowledging the importance of a healthy lifestyle and…

When the health of their children is concerned, Kenyan parents are generally hesitant to take risks and experiment with new brands. They tend to adhere to established brands that have undergone thorough testing and come highly recommended by medical…

Despite the increased use of systemic medication, herbal/traditional products are popular among Kenyans and are available through both formal and informal channels. In some instances, herbal/traditional products are perceived as more effective than…

Digestive remedies continues to witness value growth in 2023, aided by inflationary-led price increases. An ageing population is also supporting volume sales as older people are more likely to have digestive problems. However, unhealthy diets are…

There is a growing awareness of the significance of a balanced diet and the role that dietary supplements can play in addressing deficiencies. Lifestyle changes, longer work hours and a lack of time for nutritious meal preparation are prompting more…

While overall consumer awareness of skin diseases and infections is increasing in Kenya, there remain areas where stigma persists, creating a reluctance among consumers to seek help. For instance, vaginal antifungals are linked to the stigma of…