Nearly half of Kenya’s medium-sized businesses face pressure to give bribes, World Bank finds

A new World Bank report reveals that nearly half of Kenya's medium-sized businesses face pressure to offer bribes to public officials in order to secure government services and permits. The findings, published in the November 2026 Kenya Economic Update, indicate that 48.2% of medium-sized firms reported being expected to give gifts to obtain these services, more than double the 19% average for medium-sized firms across Sub-Saharan Africa and four times the 11.9% reported across all economies studied.

The pressure faced by medium-sized businesses is particularly strong due to their growth stage, as they require more permits, licenses and access to land compared to smaller firms, creating opportunities for officials to demand unofficial payments. The report warns that corruption can undermine businesses' ability to grow, train workers and introduce new products, leading to lower labor productivity and sales growth.

While the report does not establish that every firm pays a bribe or identify all responsible institutions, it highlights corruption as a significant obstacle to business growth, productivity, and job creation in Kenya.