County Digitizes Nairobi Market Permits to Ease Trade

Nairobi City County launched a digital system for business and market licensing, replacing several paper‑based permits with a streamlined online Unified Business Permit (UBP). The move, implemented via the county’s NairobiPay e‑services portal, allows traders to apply for, pay, and receive their permit entirely online.
Under the new system, business owners no longer need to juggle separate permits for fire safety, food hygiene, advertising and other licenses — everything is consolidated in one UBP, simplifying compliance and reducing bureaucratic delays. The approach supports the county’s no-cash policy by enabling payments for permits and renewals via NairobiPay, making the process faster and more transparent.
Market traders have welcomed the innovation, noting that the digital permit system has reduced the time, effort, and cost involved in renewing their licenses. By minimizing in-person visits and consolidating multiple licenses, Nairobi’s informal and formal traders can operate more efficiently — a move that could ultimately fuel growth and generate more revenue for the city. Analysts believe this reform is a strategic step toward improving ease of doing business in the county.