Nairobi Businesses See Growth in Online Retail Sales

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nairobi are increasingly recording higher revenues through online sales channels, as e‑commerce platforms expand and digital adoption grows. According to a recent Jumia Kenya report, vendors on the platform are now predominantly SMEs, and many of them are using the platform to reach beyond local markets. This uptick is partly fueled by training and support initiatives, such as the e‑Biz Kwa Vijana programme launched in partnership with BrighterMonday and USAID, which trained over 2,000 MSMEs and onboarded 632 onto online sales platforms. Experts note that the shift to online channels allows Nairobi SMEs to break free from geographical constraints, access a wider customer base, and scale their businesses cost-effectively. In parallel, digital payments are gaining traction: a growing number of SMEs are embracing mobile money and other online payment systems to support their e-commerce operations.
Entrepreneurs are welcoming the change. For many, the move online has meant more predictable sales, better inventory management, and the ability to tap into national markets. However, not all is smooth sailing: competition on e-commerce platforms is intense, and some SMEs still struggle with logistics, digital literacy, and trust from customers.Looking ahead, Kenya’s national e-commerce strategy aims to further enable SMEs through stronger infrastructure, capacity building, and public‑private collaboration. ca.go.ke As internet access continues to deepen and payment systems become more seamless, Nairobi-based SMEs are poised to remain at the forefront of Kenya’s digital commerce transformation.