Photo courtesy ofIkigai.
Kenya has always attracted foreigners and tourists to its white-sand coastline and safari-worthy savannahs. But in the last decade, its capital city, Nairobi — which is aptly nicknamed the “Silicone Savannah,” has also caught the attention of many as a top destination for remote work on the continent.
“Nairobi has established itself not only as an East African hub, but also one of the hubs for innovation, technology, entrepreneurship [...] to thrive within the region, says Stephanie Omol, the senior marketing associate for Ikigia, a popular co-working space in Nairobi, to OkayAfrica.“All these things have created favorable conditions for the right infrastructure to be developed for remote work.”
And OkayAfrica readers agree, with many citing Nairobi’s strong internet, stable power, thriving tech community, diverse options of things to do, and a wide variety of attractive and friendly spots to co-work. The great weather doesn’t hurt either.
Omol says that because Nairobians are also friendly and hospitable, it makes it an easy sell as a city to work remotely from, or even completely relocate to.
For Hiwote Getaneh, a podcast producer who visited Nairobi earlier this year, the options available to her when she needed to get some work done was a boon. “Nairobi had some of the best coworking spots that I’ve ever been to,” she tells OkayAfrica. “I currently live in Lisbon and have yet to find a space that matches the spots I went to in Nairobi.” She adds: “I also met some of the most interesting creatives who had relocated [to Nairobi] from all over the world. It immediately felt like an easy place to integrate into.”
So if you are looking at Nairobi as the ultimate destination for your remote working dreams, here are the best places — from office and co-working spaces to large restaurants and tiny cafes — to work from.
Pallet Café
Neighborhood: Lavington
The newly-renovated Pallet Café is a charming spot nestled in a lush garden that promotes sustainability through recycled and reused design elements. The café’s mission is to provide employment opportunities for deaf people, so you can also pick up some sign language while you work. Yoga classes are also offered in the garden, and an art studio is available for use on weekends. Co-working rates are available as daily or weekly options.Ikigai
Neighborhood: Multiple locations in Westlands, Riverside and Lavington
Ikigai is a premier coworking space that promotes work and wellness. Each of its multiple locations offers unique features that consider the natural environment, all while adhering to the Japanese philosophy of Ikigai, which refers to something that gives a person a sense of purpose for living. Rates are available for individuals, groups or companies looking for short or long-term co-working options.Kofisi
Neighborhood: Multiple locations in Westlands, Karen, Riverside and Upper Hill
With their top-tier amenities, Kofisi offers multiple prime locations in Nairobi that cater to the every-need of remote workers. Whether your work keeps you in Nairobi or takes you across the continent, Kofisi provides additional flexibility with locations in Nigeria, Tanzania — and soon Rwanda and Morocco. As a Kofisi member, you will also access their expansive network of collaborative workspaces through their partnership with Workshop17, extending to multiple locations in South Africa and Mauritius.Lava Latte
Neighborhood: State House Road
Inspired by a trip to Senegal, Lava Latte is a hidden gem in Nairobi that offers a strong sense of community for remote workers. Known for its charming and cute design, this café is more than just a workspace. It hosts book clubs, quiz nights and a fantastic happy hour, making it a vibrant spot for both productivity and socializing.
River Cafe
Neighborhood: Karura Forest
River Café is nestled in the heart of Karura Forest, the legacy of Nobel Prize Winning-conservationist Wangari Maathai. This serene café offers a unique and inspiring outdoor setting for remote workers, where you can enjoy fresh air and nature while you work. Ideal for warm weather, River Café is also a haven for dog lovers, allowing you to bring your furry friends along for the day!Workify
Neighborhood: Kilimani and Westlands
Workify specializes in creating flexible office spaces that allow you to focus on your core business while they take care of the rest. Designed to inspire and encourage productivity, Workify offers all services in a professional and motivating atmosphere. Their Kilimani location features a gym, an art cinema, and a rooftop restaurant and bar, while their Westlands location is in a building that offers a variety of restaurants, supermarkets, clothing boutiques and more.Kesh Kesh Coffee Roasters & Cafe
Neighborhood: Kilimani
Kesh Kesh, named after the Eritrean word for the motion of coffee roasting on a pan during the traditional Eritrean coffee ceremony, offers a unique and cultural workspace in Nairobi. Whether you're there to work or to enjoy the rich flavors of Eritrean coffee and cuisine, Kesh Kesh Café offers a delightful and productive environment.The Foundry
Neighborhood: Multiple locations
The Foundry is a lovely co-working space with multiple locations. Its Westlands location is next to Cafe Kaya, which serves delicious meals and a lively happy hour. Both the co-working space and the restaurant have the same owner and offer great spaces to work, eat and play.
Baraza Media Lab
Neighborhood: Riverside
Baraza Media Lab is a hub dedicated to the “networking, collaborating and experimenting of media practitioners.” The gorgeous space hosts programs, events and creative workshops while also being a great spot to stop by and get some much needed work done.
Nairobi Garage
Screenshot from @nairobigarage on Instagram.
Neighborhood: Multiple locations in Westlands, Spring Valley, Karen and Kilimani
Nairobi Garage is a co-working space that “gives your business the space to grow.” Known for its spacious offices, and focus on community building, it is a gorgeous space to consider for any remote worker.- How Erratic Power Cuts Are Affecting Ghana's Creative Professionals ›
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