Nairobiruns on a handful of strong industries. If you’re job-hunting or weighing a move, here’s where the opportunities (and the big-name employers) are.
Top industries & employers
Regional headquarters & international organisations
UNEP, UN-Habitat, Google, Visa, Microsoft, Unilever
Nairobi hosts the only UN global headquarters in the Global South and is the base for most multinationals' Africa operations — the largest single driver of expatriate employment.
Technology & mobile money
Safaricom, M-Pesa, Cellulant, Twiga Foods, Sendy
'Silicon Savannah' — M-Pesa made Kenya a genuine world leader in mobile financial services, and the startup ecosystem is the strongest in East Africa.
Financial services
Equity Bank, KCB, Co-operative Bank, NCBA
Kenyan banks operate across East Africa, and Nairobi is the region's financial centre.
Development & humanitarian sector
UN agencies, World Bank, USAID partners, major INGOs
One of the largest concentrations of development-sector employment anywhere, with a large associated expatriate community around Gigiri.
Agriculture & horticulture
Cut-flower exporters, tea and coffee producers
Kenya is one of the world's largest cut-flower exporters, with the corporate and logistics functions run from Nairobi.
Tourism & conservation
Safari operators, conservation NGOs, Kenya Wildlife Service
Nairobi is the gateway to the safari circuit and a hub for conservation organisations working across the region.
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.