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Urbanization without structural transformation: Evidence from Nairobi metropolitan area

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  • Joshua Magero

Abstract

OCTOBER 2025: THIS STUDY IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE TIME BEING. Using data from Kenya's 2016 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises survey, the 2017 Census of Establishments, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions, this paper examines the patterns of structural transformation as well as its drivers and barriers in Nairobi. The findings show that the pattern for employment shares by sector over time suggest movements of labour into the service sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Joshua Magero, 2025. "Urbanization without structural transformation: Evidence from Nairobi metropolitan area," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2025-54, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2025-54
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Colin McFarlane, 2012. "Rethinking Informality: Politics, Crisis, and the City," Planning Theory & Practice, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(1), pages 89-108.
    2. Douglas Gollin & Remi Jedwab & Dietrich Vollrath, 2016. "Urbanization with and without industrialization," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 35-70, March.
    3. Dani Rodrik, 2016. "Premature deindustrialization," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 1-33, March.
    4. Abhijit V. Banerjee & Esther Duflo, 2014. "Do Firms Want to Borrow More? Testing Credit Constraints Using a Directed Lending Program," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 81(2), pages 572-607.
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