Kenyans in South Sudan Send Home SSP 1.85 Trillion

(JUBA) – Money sent home by Kenyans working in South Sudan has overtaken remittances from the United Kingdom, new data shows, an indicator of the young nation’s growing role as a regional economic hub.

A survey conducted by the Central Bank of Kenya, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics and FSD Kenya found that Kenyans living and working in South Sudan sent home KES 36.8 billion (approximately USD 285.3 million, or SSP 1.85 trillion) in the year to May 2025, based on the current market rate.

The figure places South Sudan ahead of the United Kingdom as a source of diaspora income. Kenyans residing in the UK sent home KES 35.9 billion (approximately USD 278.3 million, or SSP 1.81 trillion) during the same period.

Only the United States remained a larger contributor, with Kenyan residents there sending home KES 405.4 billion (approximately USD 3.14 billion, or SSP 20.4 trillion).

The survey estimates that Kenyan households received a total of KES 931.8 billion (approximately USD 7.22 billion, or SSP 46.9 trillion) in remittances between June 2024 and May 2025, including formal cash transfers as well as informal and in kind remittances that were previously undercounted.

Cash transfers accounted for 91 percent of the total. Banks and mobile money platforms handled more than 92 percent of all cash inflows.

North America remained the largest source region, contributing 47.1 percent of total cash remittances. This was largely driven by the United States, which alone sent KES 388.1 billion in cash (approximately USD 3.01 billion, or SSP 19.6 trillion) and KES 17.3 billion in goods (approximately USD 134.1 million, or SSP 871.7 million).

Germany has emerged as Kenya’s second largest remittance source, accounting for KES 86 billion (approximately USD 666.7 million, or SSP 4.33 trillion), or 9.2 percent of total inflows. This is more than double the contribution from the United Kingdom.

The findings mark a sharp shift from historical trends when Britain was Kenya’s dominant migration destination outside Africa and the United States, driven by colonial links, education and trade.

The United Kingdom’s position has steadily faded, with it now trailing Germany, Australia and even South Sudan. It placed eighth among individual source countries, behind the United States, Germany, Australia, Saudi Arabia at KES 49.2 billion (approximately USD 381.4 million, or SSP 2.48 trillion), Qatar at KES 40.5 billion (approximately USD 314 million, or SSP 2.04 trillion), Spain at KES 36.8 billion (approximately USD 285.3 million, or SSP 1.85 trillion) and South Sudan at KES 36.8 billion (approximately USD 285.3 million, or SSP 1.85 trillion).

The rise of new remittance sources reflects growing Kenyan migration to Germany, Australia and Gulf countries. Demand has expanded in these nations for healthcare workers, engineers, ICT professionals and skilled tradespeople.

The Gulf’s importance is also rising, with Saudi Arabia contributing KES 49.2 billion (approximately USD 381.4 million, or SSP 2.48 trillion), Qatar KES 40.5 billion (approximately USD 314 million, or SSP 2.04 trillion) and the United Arab Emirates KES 23.4 billion (approximately USD 181.4 million, or SSP 1.18 trillion).

The figures demonstrate South Sudan’s growing economic significance despite its ongoing political and economic challenges. Thousands of Kenyan nationals have found employment and business opportunities across multiple sectors. These include trade, banking, construction, hospitality, humanitarian work, telecommunications, education and professional services.

The strong economic relationship between the two neighbouring countries is further reflected in the presence of major Kenyan financial institutions. KCB Bank South Sudan and Equity Bank South Sudan facilitate investment, trade and financial services between the two countries.

The data also points to South Sudan’s increasing role as a regional economic partner within the East African Community. It demonstrates that the country remains an attractive destination for skilled labour and cross border business despite persistent challenges.

In Western Europe, Norway and the United Kingdom contributed 2.8 percent and 2.4 percent of total cash remittance inflows respectively. This was equivalent to Norway at KES 24 billion (approximately USD 186 million, or SSP 1.21 trillion) and the United Kingdom at KES 20.8 billion (approximately USD 161.2 million, or SSP 1.05 trillion) in cash terms.

Kenya Diaspora Remittance Flows by Source Country (Year to May 2025)

Notes:

+Exchange rates used: USD 1 = KES 129, USD 1 = SSP 6,500 (July 2026 market rates)

+Figures for Norway and UK cash only are drawn from the survey’s Western Europe breakdown

+Total remittances from all sources: KES 931.8 billion (USD 7.22 billion, SSP 47 Trillion)

Additional Breakdown: