Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, is considered the business and cultural hub for East and Central Africa. It replaced Mombasa as Kenya's capital in 1907 and became a city in 1950. Today, it is famous for having the world's only game reserve in a large city.
With a population of 4.4 million1, Nairobi is one of Africa’s leading cities. It has hosted many international conferences, and is home to international organisations, businesses, and embassies.
Nairobi is well connected to the cities and countries in the region due to its developed transport and trade links. Bank on Nairobi’s strong transportation system to expand your business to the rest of the region.
The city is well served by roads and railways. Nairobi has two airports: the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport which is one of the chief international airports in Africa, and Wilson Airport which has flights to many regional airports in Kenya.
Nairobi is the key industrial centre of Kenya. Located near eastern Africa’s agricultural heartland, some primary products are routed through Nairobi before they are exported via Mombasa.
Nairobi can be the ideal location for your business to gain a foothold in Africa, because of its established infrastructure and industries. Besides opportunities in light-manufacturing industries that produce beverages, cigarettes, and processed food, Nairobi also conducts trade in agricultural products, export and import of goods, and has thriving real estate and tourism sectors.
You can leverage Enterprise Singapore’s network and overseas centre in Nairobi to identify suitable opportunities and partners for growth.
Mombasa is an important port city on the coast of Kenya. As Kenya's second-largest city after the capital Nairobi with a population of 1.2 million, Mombasa’s vibrant business ecosystem offers your business attractive opportunities.
Capitalise on the Port of Mombasa’s role as a trade gateway for many of Kenya’s landlocked neighbouring countries, like Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan, to expand the reach of your business. It is one of the busiest ports in Sub-Saharan Africa and handled 15 million tonnes of cargo in the first half of 20172.
Mombasa is Kenya’s second major industrial hub after Nairobi. It offers opportunities for your company to invest in some of the country’s largest industries like apparel, cement, and grain milling. Other industries that stand out in Mombasa are mining, manufacturing, and oil refining.
The Kenyan government is building a business-friendly environment in Mombasa. As part of the Kenya Vision 2030 development plans, the government has designated Mombasa as one of three Special Economic Zones. It offers investors like you a business-friendly environment with business incentives and low trade barriers.