The Startup Ecosystem of Nairobi

Nairobi boasts 180 startups in our sample database which represents about 90% of Kenya’s sampled startups. Nairobi is the highest-ranked startup ecosystem in Kenya.

CITY RANKING

While Nairobi decreased by 27 spots in its global rank in the Global Startup Ecosystem Index of 2022, its ranking in Kenya remained stable at 1 nationally since 2021.

National Ranking

1st
0
In Kenya

Regional Ranking

1st
0
In Eastern Africa

Global Ranking

163rd
-
27
Worldwide

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ECOSYSTEM

Browse the startup ecosystem database of Nairobi

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Ecosystem

The Startup Ecosystem in Nairobi

Startups in Nairobi excel in Fintech, Energy & Environment, and and Foodtech. There are some notable success stories contributing to the city’s growing Fintech industry. One of the most promising startups in Nairobi in 2022 is M-kopa, Kopo Kopo, and Twiga Foods.

Global Rank

Nairobi is ranked within the top 200 startup ecosystems globally.

Top Industries

Nairobi’s startups excel particularly in Fintech where it ranks 37 and in Energy & Environment, and Foodtech. Find out more

Top Cities for Startups in Kenya - Ranked by StartupBlink
StartupBlink ranks the startup ecosystems of 100 countries and 1,000 cities. Download our latest Global Startup Ecosystem Report.
Rows:
2022 National Rank & Change ▲
2022 National Rank & Change City
search leaderboards icon
Global Rank & ChangeTotal ScoreQuantity ScoreQuality ScoreBusiness Score
1st
0
163rd
-
27
4.819
1.23
1.51
2.08
2nd
0
891st
-
135
0.205
0.06
0.01
0.14
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Startups

Notable Startups in Nairobi
M-kopa startup icon
M-kopa
Kopo Kopo startup icon
Kopo Kopo
Twiga Foods startup icon
Twiga Foods

Startups

Successful Fintech startups in Nairobi
Kopo Kopo startup icon
Kopo Kopo
Cytonn Investments startup icon
Cytonn Investments
Cellulant startup icon
Cellulant

Startups

Startups Ranking by Industry

Fintech icon
Fintech
#37 worldwide

On our map, you can explore a total of 43 startups for Fintech.

Energy & Environment icon
Energy & Environment
#71 worldwide

In Eastern Africa, Nairobi's Energy & Environment is in top 71. Nairobi has a concentration of about 0% of the country's total Energy & Environment startups that are represented on our map.

Foodtech icon
Foodtech
#80 worldwide

Foodtech is ranked 80th in the world. Our database contains 21 startups for this industry.

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ECOSYSTEM

Why should you join Nairobi's Startup Ecosystem?

Overview

Within Nairobi there is an increased attraction for entrepreneurs to set up their startups in industries such as Fintech, Energy & Environment, Foodtech. These three industries represent about 57% of the startups represented on the Startup Ecosystem Map of Nairobi.

1st

National Rank

1st

Regional Rank

Overview

Nairobi is Kenya's 1st best startup ecosystem and is ranked 1st in Eastern Africa. With a population of 5M - 10M people, Nairobi is ranked th in the world. The city boasts some notable startup success stories including M-kopa and its startup ecosystem infrastructure is strengthened by organizations such as M-Pesa and ILAB AFRICA.

ECOSYSTEM
Startup Infrastructure in Nairobi
With a large variety of initiatives, Nairobi's startup ecosystem stands out from other cities in Eastern Africa. Nairobi offers a number of funding opportunities for entrepreneurs and startups. Below is a list of Nairobi's most prominent support initiatives:

Accelerators

E4Impact Accelerator startup icon

E4Impact Accelerator

GrowthAfrica startup icon

GrowthAfrica

Kick startup icon

Kick

Coworking Spaces

KENYA CLIMATE INNOVATION CENTRE (KCIC) startup icon

KENYA CLIMATE INNOVATION CENTRE (KCIC)

Nairobi Garage startup icon

Nairobi Garage

PAWA254 startup icon

PAWA254

Organizations

Assek startup icon

Assek

Featured Ecosystem Portals

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