Kenya Launches Bold New Data Strategies to Power Sustainable Development
Kenya has taken a significant step toward building a data-driven economy with the launch of two landmark frameworks that aim to transform how the country manages statistics and integrates environmental information into national planning.
The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) has unveiled the Second Kenya Strategy for Development of Statistics (KSDS2) and the National Plan for Advancement of Environmental Economic Accounting (NPAEEA), in an event that brought together government officials, development partners, civil society, and academia.
The launch underscores Kenya’s ambition to place reliable data at the center of policy-making and sustainable development. For years, the country has struggled with fragmented data systems that often left policymakers relying on outdated or incomplete information. As climate change intensifies and the demand for evidence-based decisions grows, these new strategies are designed to bridge the gap.
The National Plan for Advancement of Environmental Economic Accounting (NPAEEA) introduces a new way of measuring progress by integrating economic statistics with environmental data. Backed by the World Bank’s Global Program on Sustainability, the plan prioritizes the development of six natural capital accounts covering energy, water, forests, land, ecosystems, and minerals. This approach will help the government better understand the value of Kenya’s natural assets and design policies that balance economic growth with environmental sustainability. The plan is also aligned with international frameworks including the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement, and Africa’s Agenda 2063, reinforcing Kenya’s role as a leader in green growth on the continent.
Meanwhile, the Second Kenya Strategy for Development of Statistics (2023–2028) sets out a vision to modernize the country’s statistical system and strengthen its role in national development. Supported by the World Bank, the strategy calls for more coordinated data collection, investment in training and infrastructure, and greater use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. KNBS has also announced plans to establish a one-stop center for official statistics, revise the Statistics Act to reflect modern realities, and create a national statistical training institute to boost capacity across the system.
Kenya’s position as a Core Implementing Country under the Global Program on Sustainability places it at the forefront of efforts to integrate natural capital accounting into economic planning. This designation means the country receives sustained technical and financial support to embed sustainability into decision-making processes.
According to KNBS, the combined impact of KSDS2 and the NPAEEA will be transformative, ensuring that Kenya not only generates more reliable statistics but also uses them to inform long-term planning. With climate change, rapid urbanization, and resource pressures shaping the country’s future, these frameworks are expected to provide a foundation for decisions that secure both economic growth and environmental resilience.
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