Nairobi Ranked Top City for Entrepreneurship in East Africa

Nairobi has been ranked the leading city for entrepreneurship in East Africa, reaffirming its position as the region’s startup capital. The recognition comes from the Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2025 by StartupBlink, which placed Nairobi at #107 globally, up six places from the previous year. This ranking highlights the city’s vibrant entrepreneurial culture and its ability to attract investment, talent, and innovation.
Nairobi’s ecosystem is home to 389 startups, accounting for over 90% of Kenya’s total, with an annual growth rate of +22.2%. The city has become a hub for sectors such as fintech, agritech, and clean energy, with clean energy ranking 16th globally. Startups like M‑Kopa, Wasoko, and Apollo Agriculture are examples of Nairobi’s innovative spirit, offering scalable solutions to local challenges while expanding across Africa.
For the fifth consecutive year, Nairobi has retained its dominance as the top startup ecosystem in Eastern Africa and the third strongest in Africa overall, behind Lagos and Cape Town. This consistency underscores Nairobi’s resilience in fostering entrepreneurship despite global economic uncertainties. Strong infrastructure, widespread mobile penetration, and supportive government policies have created fertile ground for startups to thrive.
Experts believe Nairobi’s recognition will attract more foreign investment, partnerships, and talent. With continued growth in digital innovation, renewable energy, and financial technology, the city is expected to strengthen its role as a gateway for African startups to access global markets. Nairobi’s entrepreneurial success story is positioning Kenya as a leader in Africa’s digital and innovation economy.