Kenya

Nairobi

#71-80

Emerging Startup Ecosystem

#2

Sub-Saharan Africa Ecosystem in Funding

#3

Sub-Saharan Africa Ecosystem in Talent & Experience

Top 10

Sub-Saharan Africa Ecosystem in Performance
Nairobi’s startup ecosystem pulses with innovation, driven by youthful talent, robust tech infrastructure, and a vibrant investor network, positioning the city as East Africa’s leading hub for entrepreneurial growth and impact.

Highlights

Nairobi is gaining global recognition for its advancements in Agtech, Ecommerce, and Fintech, driving economic transformation and digital inclusion across Africa.

In July 2024, Kenya's National Assembly approved the Startup Bill of 2022, creating a supportive framework for startups. The law provides tax incentives, simplifies credit access, and establishes a strong platform for startups to secure essential resources, fostering tech sector growth and attracting talent and investment to Kenya.

In 2024, Kenyan startups secured $638 million in funding, representing nearly 29% of the total capital raised across the continent. This milestone reinforces Kenya's leadership in Africa's venture funding landscape. The Climatetech sector saw significant investments, with d.light, a manufacturer and distributor of solar lighting and power products, securing a $176 million round in July 2024. 

In January 2025, Nairobi’s Tatu City invested over $500 million in infrastructure, encompassing roads, water, sewerage, power, and ICT. This development supports more than 80 businesses and two international schools within the city.

The Africa Tech Summit Nairobi 2025, held in February at the Sarit Expo Centre, featured ten cutting-edge African tech startups. The event offered a platform for these ventures to connect with investors and partners, reinforcing Nairobi’s status as a leading hub for technological innovation.

In October 2024, President William Ruto introduced a digital nomad visa, enabling remote workers to reside and work in Kenya. The government aims to attract five million visitors annually by 2027, with the Digital Nomad Visa playing a pivotal role in achieving this target.

Ecosystem by the Numbers

ECOSYSTEM VALUE

A measure of economic impact, calculated as the value of exits and startup valuations from H2 2022–2024.
(H2 2022 - 2024)
$5.1 BN
GLOBAL AVG. $20.4 bn

NUMBER OF UNICORNS 

The number of startups that meet our definition and have been valued at more than $1 billion and have not exited.
(ACTIVE UNICORNS)
1
GLOBAL AVG. 4

SOFT. ENGINEER SALARY

Average software engineer salary informed by data from Glassdoor, Salary.com, and PayScale, as well as local sources when available.
(2024)
$14.7 K
GLOBAL AVG. $52 K

TIME TO EXIT

The average age at the time of exit in the ecosystem in 2020–2024.
(2020 - 2024)
8.3 YEARS
GLOBAL AVG. 11.2 years

TOTAL EARLY–STAGE FUNDING

The total seed and Series A funding in tech startups in H2 2022–2024.
(H2 2022 - 2024)
$261 M
GLOBAL AVG. $514.8 m

MEDIAN SEED ROUND

The median of seed rounds in tech startups in the ecosystem in H2 2022–2024.
(H2 2022 - 2024)
$175 K
GLOBAL AVG. $889 k

EARLY-STAGE FUNDING
GROWTH

Early-stage funding growth is based on number of seed and Series A rounds raised between 2021-20222 vs. 2023-2024 and calculated on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
(2021 - 22 VS. 2023 - 24)
5
Scale of 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest)

EXIT AMOUNT

The total value of exits from the ecosystem.
(2020 - 2024)
$604 M
GLOBAL AVG. $8 bn

ECOSYSTEM VALUE GROWTH

Ecosystem Value growth (CAGR) is calculated based on companies founded in the ecosystem in H2 2020–H2 2022 vs. H2 2022–H2 2024.
(H2 2020 - H2 2022 VS H2 2022 - H2 2024)
-15%
GLOBAL AVG. -14%

MEDIAN SERIES A ROUND 

The median of Series A rounds in tech startups in the ecosystem in H2 2022–2024.
(H2 2022 – 2024)
$14.5 M
GLOBAL AVG. $6.8 m

TOTAL VC FUNDING

The total VC funding (seed, Series A, Series B+) in tech startups in H2 2022–2024.
(2020 - 2024)
$1.9 BN
GLOBAL AVG. $5.2 bn

EXIT COUNT (#)

The number of exits from the ecosystem.
(2020 - 2024)
39
7
2020
6
2021
11
2022
7
2023
8
2024
GLOBAL AVG. 86

Sub-Sector Strengths

Fintech
Fintech

Fintech dominated startup funding in Africa in 2024, securing nearly half of all investments. Moniepoint, a Nigerian Fintech startup, was among the top four fundraisers, raising $110 million in a Series C round and surpassing a $1 billion valuation, making it Africa’s eighth unicorn. In December 2024, Nairobi hosted the African Economic Research Consortium's 61st plenary, highlighting Africa's $65 billion Fintech potential by 2030. The event underscored Kenya's leadership in the sector while addressing challenges in inclusion, infrastructure, and regulation.

Agtech & New Food
Agtech & New Food

In February 2025, CGIAR launched a Nairobi hub to drive agricultural innovation in Africa, supporting agribusiness through research and collaboration. The initiative aims to create 250,000 jobs. In September 2024, ADM, a global multinational food processing company, opened a new office and innovation labs in Nairobi to advance food, beverage, and animal nutrition innovation. Nairobi-based Apollo Agriculture secured $40 million in Series B funding in March 2024, bringing its total equity raised to $52.5 million, making it one of Kenya’s top-funded Agtech startups.

E-Commerce
E-Commerce

Kenya’s Ecommerce revenues are projected to reach $3.5 billion by 2027. In November 2024, Trade Principal Secretary Alfred K’Ombudo announced Kenya's alignment of its National E-Commerce Strategy with regional and global frameworks, enhancing digital infrastructure, payments, and regulations. Ecommerce platforms like Jumia and Kilimall are revolutionizing retail in Nairobi by linking consumers to diverse products and services, fueling the expansion of online shopping and facilitating international product shipping.

Reasons to Move Your Startup to Nairobi

Market Opportunity

With 5.7 million residents, Nairobi is a vibrant commercial hub that is home to the regional headquarters of many global companies. In July 2024, Kenya signed the European Union (EU) Economic Partnership Agreement allowing Kenyan products to enter the EU market without duties or quotas, promoting bilateral trade and investment growth. The Nairobi Securities Exchange saw a 34.8% rise in investor wealth in 2024.

Growing Tech Community

In November 2024, Microsoft unveiled a program in Kenya aiming to train 1 million individuals in Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity by 2027. This initiative collaborates with platforms like the Kenya Skills Hub and Smart Academy to build a robust foundation of AI and Cybersecurity professionals in the country. In October 2024, Safaricom launched the Hook Circle Bootcamps aimed at empowering youth in technology careers.

International Environment

According to the Expat City Ranking 2024, Nairobi ranks 9th globally in the 2024 Ease of Settling In Index, recognized for its welcoming community, friendly locals, and strong support networks for expats. In December 2024, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration announced the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration (Amendment) Regulations, 2024. These reforms modernize work permits, adding categories for tech professionals to attract foreign experts to Kenya.

Work with us

If you are interested in working with us to drive global attention to your ecosystem, please get in touch with Marina Krizman, Director of Business Development.

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