Corporate gifts, promotional products and branded apparel, made in Nairobi for teams across East Africa.
What do companies actually spend their promotional budgets on? New 2026 research from the world's two biggest promotional products associations gives a clear answer, and it lines up closely with what Kenyan companies order from us. Here is what the data says and how to use it for your next batch of branded promotional gifts.
T-shirts are still number one
According to ASI's 2026 State of the Industry report, T-shirts made up 14.8 per cent of all promotional product sales in 2025, the largest single category. Polo shirts and drinkware came next, each at 9.2 per cent. In other words, almost a third of all promo spending goes on just three things.
The reason is simple: people wear and use them. A branded T-shirt turns a campaign into a crowd, a golf or polo shirt makes a team look like a team, and a water bottle sits on a desk for years.
The market is big and still growing
PPAI estimates that US distributors sold more than $27 billion of promotional products in 2025, a new record, and ASI reported year-on-year growth of 2.5 per cent in the second quarter of 2026. PPAI's wider study with Oxford Economics put total US spending on branded merchandise above $174 billion. Branded products are not a side line in marketing; they are a channel in their own right.
Sustainable products have gone mainstream
PPAI's figures put sustainable products at roughly 14 per cent of sales in 2025. For Kenyan buyers, the most practical eco choices are reusable steel and glass bottles, cotton, canvas and jute tote bags, and notebooks made with recycled paper. They tell a good story and they get used.
Buyers want value and speed
Surveys of suppliers and distributors in late 2025 found buyers focused hard on price and turnaround time, with many pressing for lower costs as budgets tightened. That is why it pays to order from a supplier that brands in-house: fewer hand-offs, fewer surprises and a quicker answer when your event date moves.
What this means for Kenyan brands
- Start with the proven three. T-shirts, polos and drinkware are the safest bets for staff, events and campaigns.
- Spend more per item, on fewer items. A quality bottle or polo is kept; a flimsy one is binned.
- Pick an eco option where it fits. Reusable bottles and bags match the direction of Kenyan policy.
- Book early for busy seasons. Year-end, Madaraka and Mashujaa holidays, and school events fill branding schedules quickly.
Quick guide: which product for which goal?
| Goal | Products that work |
|---|---|
| Visibility at an event | T-shirts, caps, umbrellas, tote bags |
| Team identity | Polo shirts, jackets, lanyards |
| Long daily use | Water bottles, mugs, notebooks, pens |
| Client appreciation | Executive gift sets, vacuum flasks, hampers |
Need help choosing? Read our guide to branded promotional gifts in Kenya or request a quote and we will suggest options for your budget.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular promotional product?
T-shirts. In 2025 they were the largest category of promotional product sales, at 14.8 per cent according to ASI, followed by polo shirts and drinkware.
Are branded water bottles a good promotional gift?
Yes. Drinkware is one of the top three categories worldwide because people use bottles and mugs every day. Laser-engraved steel bottles keep the logo sharp for years.
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