Kenya

Kenya faces substantial readiness constraints across core dimensions. Its weakest results are in Infrastructure (60, 28th percentile), Human Capital (54, 28th percentile), GEFRI Composite (43, 28th percentile) and School Access and Gender Parity (15, 12th percentile). These gaps continue to weigh on overall readiness.

Uneven scores across dimensions show where readiness conditions are less aligned. Limited electricity or internet coverage still constrains classrooms, preventing large-scale digital instruction. Literacy or tertiary enrollment gaps thin the talent pipeline and limit the country’s capacity to develop future-ready skills.

Sparse R&D investment and a small research workforce slow experimentation and delay new ideas from reaching learners. Policy execution and regulatory capacity remain weak, leaving reforms fragmented and hard to sustain. Gender parity across secondary pathways reflects sustained commitment to equitable participation.

Innovation and Governance present a near-term leapfrog opportunity: performance is just below the global average, backed by enough observed data to support forward planning. Regionally, Kenya leads most clearly in Innovation, sitting well above the peer average.