Kenya’s Growth Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to decelerate to 3.5 % in 2020, According to a report by Agusto & Company Limited.
The decline will be due to pressure on agricultural export, tourism activities, locust invasion, and COVID-19 pandemic says a credit rating report.
The Pan-African credit rating agency has given Kenya a “B+” sovereign credit rating, citing persistent fiscal slippages by the Government leading to expanded external borrowing, rising budget deficit to GDP ratio, high-risk debt distress owing to the adverse effect of locust invasion and COVID-19 pandemic and a worsening balance of trade deficit due to low demand for the country’s exports.
According to Ikechukwu Iheagwam, Country Manager, Agusto & Company Limited, Kenya has consistently missed its revenue target by at least 8% since 2014/15 fiscal year, and the expectation is that the country’s fiscal deficit for the 2019/20 budget cycle to remain well above the Government’s 5.1% target and the East African Community convergence benchmark of 3%.
“Fueled with these economic factors, we expect Kenya’s debt-service to revenue in 2020 to be twice the recommended 30% threshold by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which will put a strain on planned development expenditure and the country’s ability to fight COVID-19 should there be a widespread outbreak in the country,” noted Mr. Ikechukwu Iheagwam, Country Manager, Agusto & Company Limited.
Mr. Iheagwam added that there was an expected strain on agricultural exports and tourism activities, sectors that have been key contributors to the Kenyan economy. He also noted that the Country’s 2019 US $8.7 billion foreign reserves which represented 5.5 months import were expected to remain at about the same level as receipts of foreign currency loans from international lenders is likely to have a cushioning effect.
The negative outlook for 2020 is based on expanded external borrowings, a rising budget deficit to GDP ratio, low demand of the country’s exports and a high risk of debt distress resulting from an expected decline in government receipt from agricultural exports, foreign remittances and tourist activities due to the locust invasion and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The rating agency notes that the expansionary monetary policy and the repealed interest capping by The Central Bank of Kenya is likely to have a positive impact on the country’s credit market and estimates that a stronger private sector-led credit growth will be necessary to sustain high economic expansion.
The rating reflects Kenya’s resilient macroeconomic fundamentals, a diversified economy, a relatively stable local currency against major international currencies, a comfortable foreign exchange reserve buffer against short-term external shocks and Kenya’s position as the leading business hub within the EAC.
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