About the Informal Sector
Background on Kenya's Jua Kali economy
Informal sector enterprises are enterprises that are not registered by the Registrar of Companies
and that produce goods and services meant for the market. In Kenya these enterprises are commonly
referred to as "Jua Kali", comprising informal traders and artisans, the majority
of whom work by the roadside. The survey data below covers key dimensions of this workforce
including employment, education, occupations, earnings, and skills demand.
Who is in the informal sector
Employment in the informal sector
Education attainment in the informal sector
Informal sector employment by occupation
Job opportunities in the informal sector
Most job opportunities in the Kenyan Informal Sector are associated with three main types of economic activities:
- Trade and repair
- Manufacturing
- Food services
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Job openings by occupation
Most job opportunities in the Kenyan Informal Sector are associated with the following occupations.
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Top ten most popular occupations in the informal sector
Most preferred skills by employers
Employers often preferred financial, record keeping, marketing and managerial skills.
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Monthly earnings
Informal workers usually earn between Ksh 6,500 and Ksh 15,000 per month. Machinery mechanics and welders are likely to earn more in the informal sector.
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Related Resources
Labour demand data & partner links