Nairobi is once again on the map; and this time, the numbers back it up. In the latest Global Attractiveness Index for Emerging and Fast-Growing Cities, Kenya’s heart and nerve centre outshines many of its peers, ranking among the top African cities shaping the continent’s future.

As 2026 unfolds, Kenyan businesses, from bustling SMEs to major enterprises, face a tightening financial landscape.

Kenyan importers have faced tough times over the past couple of years. Longer shipping routes, soaring freight costs, and unpredictable delivery timelines have become the new normal. With cargo that used to sail through the Red Sea and Suez Canal being rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope, transit times stretched by weeks, putting pressure on supply chains and budgets alike.

As Kenya steps into 2026, the business climate is buzzing with renewed optimism. The challenges of recent years, from supply chain disruptions to rising interest rates and shifting global trade currents, are easing. Stability is returning, and with it, a surge of activity across the economy.