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Kenya's march to First World: Why structural transformation is no longer optional

By The Standard December 23, 2025

Source: The Standard

Kenya's march to First World: Why structural transformation is no longer optional

For Kenya to transition from its current status as a developing nation to a First World economy, incremental change will not suffice. What is required is a profound, deliberate and far-reaching structural transformation, one that fundamentally reshapes how we produce, govern, educate and invest as a nation.The path to the First World is often narrowly defined in terms of wealth. This view is misleading. True development is anchored in productivity. Kenya must evolve from an economy that primarily consumes finished goods and exports raw materials into one that creates high-value products and services for regional and global markets.Get Full Access for Ksh299/WeekUnlock the Full Story — Join Thousands of Informed Kenyans TodaySupport Bold JournalismUnlimited access to all premium contentUninterrupted ad-free browsing experienceMobile-optimized reading experienceWeekly NewslettersMPesa, Airtel Money and Cards acceptedAlready a subscriber?Log inFollow The Standard
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The path to the First World is often narrowly defined in terms of wealth. This view is misleading. True development is anchored in productivity. Kenya must evolve from an economy that primarily consumes finished goods and exports raw materials into one that creates high-value products and services for regional and global markets.Get Full Access for Ksh299/WeekUnlock the Full Story — Join Thousands of Informed Kenyans TodaySupport Bold JournalismUnlimited access to all premium contentUninterrupted ad-free browsing experienceMobile-optimized reading experienceWeekly NewslettersMPesa, Airtel Money and Cards acceptedAlready a subscriber?Log inFollow The Standard
channel
on WhatsApp

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