The Kenyan economy recorded an average growth of 6.0% for the first three quarters of 2018, compared to an average of 4.7% in a similar period in 2017. The growth was mainly supported by recovery in agriculture due to improved weather conditions, increased output in manufacturing, wholesale & retail trade sectors, and continued recovery of the tourism sector. Market analysts now project that the 2019 GDP growth will come in between 5.7% and 5.9%, lower than the 6.2% suggested by some quarters. The economy is set to receive backup from the continued growth of the agricultural sector, as a result of expected improvement of weather conditions.
The government has increased budgetary allocation to the agricultural sector for ongoing irrigation projects, strategic food reserves, cereal, and crop enhancement and crop insurance schemes, in order to enhance food security and nutrition, which is a key pillar on the “Big 4 Agenda”. There is continued strong growth in the real estate and tourism sectors. Tourism has continued to record doubled digits growth, having averaged 15.1 percent in the first three quarters of 2018 mainly boosted by a rise in the number of visitors’ arrivals as well as a notable rise in conference activities.

The EU, Tanzania's biggest development partner, and the World Bank have recently taken measures to sanction repressive policies, concerned by crackdowns on human rights. In November, the EU said it would thoroughly review its financial support, more than $100 million a year, in response to moves that undermined human rights and the rule of law. The EU's decision to reconsider its aid coincided with one by the World Bank to freeze a $300 million loan for girls' education in protest against a move to expel pregnant girls from school and forbid them to continue their education after giving birth. Meanwhile, Denmark announced the withdrawal of $10 million in aid owing to "unacceptable homophobic remarks".

TUganda’s economic growth will likely accelerate to 7% over the next 3-5 years if public infrastructure investments including in the oil sector remain at a “high level,” according to the central bank. These infrastructure investments, the report said, will “remain at a high level over coming years. This should, in turn, continue to have positive spillover effects on private sector investment activity and spending.”