Kenya has emerged as the top destination for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIS) looking to purchase homes, beating giant economies like the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK).
According to the Knight Frank Wealth Report 2025, 66% of wealthy investors named Kenya as their first choice for home ownership, citing long-term economic stability, a booming real estate sector, and domestic confidence.
“These findings align with last year’s trends, where Kenya was also the top priority for home purchases at 33%, followed by the UK at 25%,” read part of the report.
The United States ranked second, with 29% of HNWIS choosing it for home acquisition, citing its mature property market, legal protections, and stability.
The United Kingdom follows as the third most favoured destination at 21%, appreciated for its historical ties with Kenya, transparency, and reliability as a long-term asset.
Why the Billionaires Are Choosing Kenya
Kenya’s strong appeal among High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIS) is driven by growing confidence in the local market, underpinned by long-term economic stability, an expanding real estate sector, and a sense of national pride.
“Kenya’s dominant preference reflects strong domestic confidence, fueled by long-term economic stability, a growing real estate sector, and national pride,” the report read.
Many wealthy investors see buying property in Kenya not only as a way to build and preserve wealth, but also as a means to support and participate in the country’s economic growth.
Global Choices
While Kenya remains the top choice for wealthy homebuyers, many High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs) also look abroad to diversify their real estate portfolios.
The United States stands out as a leading secondary destination thanks to its mature property market, legal safeguards, and economic stability, making it a reliable option to offset risks in local markets.
“Despite the strong inclination towards Kenya, many affluent investors seek international real estate opportunities to diversify their assets,” the report reads.
Similarly, the United Kingdom continues to attract Kenyan investors, valued for its historical ties with Kenya, legal transparency, and perceived long-term stability especially in high-end locations like London.
Also Read: World Met Explains El Niño Patterns in Kenya and East Africa
Motivation Behind Future Homebuyers
The report listed six (6) reasons that could be motivation for future home buyers. Investment is the leading motivation for high-net-worth individuals purchasing homes, as many view real estate as a stable, long-term asset investment.
A significant majority (56%) of respondents identified investment as the primary motivation for their clients’ future home purchases.
This highlights a strategic shift among High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs), who are increasingly viewing residential real estate not only as a lifestyle asset but also as a reliable investment vehicle.
Other key motivators include education, lifestyle, and job relocation, while political safety and tax considerations ranked lowest in terms of motivation.
Also Read: Report Reveals Highest and Lowest Paying Jobs in Kenya
Who is a High-Net-Worth Individual
A high-net-worth individual (HNWI) is someone with liquid assets of at least $1 million, after accounting for liabilities. These liquid assets typically include cash and investments, such as stocks, that can be easily converted to cash.
According to the Capgemini World Wealth Report, North America had the largest number of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) in 2023, with approximately 7.9 million.
The Asia-Pacific region came next as it is home to 7.4 million HNWIs while Europe had 5.8 million. Latin America recorded 600,000, and the Middle East was home to 900,000 HNWIs, and Africa had 200,000.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
