List of Top 5 Sectors Wealthy Kenyans Are Eyeing for Investment

Wealthy Kenyans are increasingly investing beyond traditional residential property, with data centres, rental housing, hotels, farmland and logistics attracting the most interest, according to the Knight Frank Kenya Wealth & Investment Trends Report 2026.

The report shows that affluent investors are reducing the amount of wealth held in primary and secondary homes and directing more money into assets that offer regular income, better liquidity and long-term returns. 

Knight Frank says the change is being driven by growth in the digital economy, infrastructure development and demand for new investment opportunities.

“The modern investor is looking beyond conventional asset classes. There is growing interest in investments that combine income, resilience and long-term growth. This reflects a more sophisticated approach to wealth creation,” said Knight Frank Kenya CEO Mark Dunford.

Emerging sectors such as data centres, logistics and the Residential Private Rented Sector are now among the most attractive investment opportunities.

Knight Frank Report Shows Data Centres Among Top Investment Choices for Wealthy Kenyans

Data centres ranked among the most preferred investment sectors, with 24 percent of respondents selecting them.

Knight Frank links the growing interest to increased internet use, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and the need for more data storage facilities.

The report also cites government efforts to promote digital transformation and data localization as factors making the sector more attractive.

“As businesses, financial institutions and technology firms continue to digitize operations, demand for secure, scalable and energy-efficient data infrastructure is expected to rise significantly,” the report says.

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Rental Housing Still Attracts Investors

The Residential Private Rented Sector (PRS) also attracted 24 percent of respondents.

Knight Frank says residential property remains an important investment because it provides rental income and protects wealth against inflation.

Demand has also been supported by population growth, urbanization, Kenya’s growing diaspora and the increasing use of short-term accommodation platforms.

Hotels Benefit From Tourism Growth

Hotels and leisure also ranked among the preferred sectors, with 24 percent of respondents identifying the industry as an attractive investment.

The report attributes the interest to the recovery of Kenya’s tourism sector, with international visitor arrivals rising to about 2.55 million in 2025, compared to 2.4 million in 2024.

Knight Frank says increased business travel, conferences and tourism are creating opportunities in hotels, resorts, serviced apartments and leisure developments.

Farmland Remains Popular

Farmland attracted 29 percent of respondents, making it one of the leading investment sectors.

According to the report, wealthy investors continue to buy agricultural land because it holds its value, protects against inflation and is expected to appreciate over time.

Many are also buying land in satellite towns and fast-growing areas, expecting prices to rise as infrastructure projects and urban development continue.

The report adds that farmland is also valued as a family asset that can be passed on to future generations or used as collateral to secure financing.

Also Read: Top Sectors in Kenya Where Workers Earn Up to Ksh 2 Million a Month

Logistics Sector Continues to Grow

Logistics and industrial property attracted 18 percent of respondents.

Knight Frank says the sector is benefiting from growth in e-commerce, regional trade, manufacturing and demand for warehouses and distribution centres.

The report also points to the listing of Africa Logistics Properties (ALP) REIT on the Nairobi Securities Exchange as a major development for Kenya’s industrial property market.

Investors Diversifying Their Portfolios

The report says wealthy Kenyans are also investing in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), renewable energy and fixed-income products as they spread risk across different asset classes.

Knight Frank Africa Research Analyst Boniface Abudho said investors are not moving away from property but are broadening their investment options.

“Investors are diversifying rather than abandoning property. Capital is moving towards sectors supported by structural trends that are expected to shape the economy for many years,” he said.

“The findings show a market that is maturing. Investors are building portfolios that are diversified, future-focused and aligned to long-term economic transformation.”

Dunford said Kenya continues to present compelling investment opportunities, although the difference today is that investors are becoming more deliberate in where they deploy capital.

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