Kenya overtakes South Africa’s the leading African country for expats to start a new life

According to the Expat Essentials Index by InterNations, Kenya has emerged as the leading African country for expats to start a new life, thanks to the ease of finding housing, affordable cost of homes, and language. This gives Kenya an edge as a desirable destination for companies seeking to expand into the African market.

Ranked ninth globally, Kenya beat South Africa (28th) and Egypt (37th) to emerge as the top African country. The survey assesses the best and worst destinations for professionals based on housing, language, digital life, and local administration.

With Kenya’s position as a hub for the East African region, an investment ground for multinationals, and the government’s infrastructure development, there is a growing development of high-end residential units targeting high-net-worth individuals.

The survey states that Kenya (9th) and Indonesia (6th) provide expats with an easy transition in housing (12th) and language (3rd). The widespread use of English as one of the official languages in business, education, and government offices has contributed to Kenya’s success in the language subcategory.

Additionally, many expats find it easy to secure affordable housing in Kenya, with 43 percent rating it as such, slightly above the worldwide average of 39 percent.

 

 

Why Kenya is a leading African country in expats?

High-end neighborhoods, including Kilimani, Ridgeways, Westlands, and Lavington, are the popular choices for the majority of expats who fall under the middle and upper-income class segments.

Muthaiga, Runda, Riverside, Rosslyn, and Karen are among the high-end areas preferred by professionals working for international organizations such as the United Nations. This is according to the findings of a recent survey.

The survey results follow a wealth report by Knight Frank, which ranked Kenya as one of the top global real estate investment hotspots, placing it after France, Spain, Italy, and the UK. Additionally, Kenya ranked second among African super-wealthy individuals seeking second homes.

Foreign buyers contribute significantly to the prime property market in Kenya, helping to maintain and raise property prices.

However, dealing with local bureaucracy remains a significant challenge for many expats in Kenya. According to the survey, 57 percent of expats find local red tape frustrating, which is almost 20 percentage points higher than the global average of 39 percent.