Kenya’s wealthy investors are making big investments in five key sectors in 2025, pointing to where the country’s rich and elite see future growth and opportunity.
These sectors, including tech-driven infrastructure and traditional economic pillars, show a blend of innovation and resilience amid global economic shifts.
According to Knight Frank’s wealth report 2025, data centres, hotel and leisure, retail, logistics, and industrial are among the sectors where moneyed individuals are investing.
Additionally, the wealthy investors are putting their money into student housing, development land, and farmland.
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The Sectors Include; 1. Data Centres
Data centres received significant interest amid rising internet penetration and government policies promoting data localization.
With the increasing demand for cloud services and digital storage, tech infrastructure is now seen as a critical investment.
This sector accounted for 17% of all investor interest, reflecting a strategic shift towards digital infrastructure.
2. Hotel and Leisure
Closely following are investments in hotel and leisure, which garnered 18% of responses.
Investors are betting on the continued rebound of the tourism industry, informed by renewed global travel and a strong domestic tourism market.
The increase in air travel connections and international events in Kenya is encouraging the growth.
“The sector continues to attract strong interest due to Kenya’s efforts to revitalize tourism and improve hospitality infrastructure,” part of the report read.
3. Retail
Retail investments, which topped the list with 21% of investor interest, reflect the expansion of Kenya’s middle class, rising urbanization, and shifts in consumer behavior.
Shopping malls, lifestyle centres, and e-commerce distribution hubs are leading areas of focus.
Moreover, Kenyan shoppers are more digital, brand-aware, and convenience-driven.
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4. Logistics, Industrial, and Student Housing
Tied at 15%, logistics and industrial investments are being driven by the e-commerce boom.
Student housing has emerged as a niche but high-potential area with establishments like Qwetu and Qejani students housing.
“The tie suggests that investors are viewing both these sub-sectors as viable, reflecting confidence in the country’s ability to sustain economic growth through improved logistics infrastructure and an expanding education sector,” the report read.
5. Development Land and Farmland
At the same time, Development land, farmland, and hotel & leisure, tied with 14% of investors eyeing opportunities in these sectors.
Urbanization continues to drive land appreciation near cities, while agricultural investments are seen as a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty.
Low Interest in Commercial Property
In both 2023 and 2024, most investment advisors reported that fewer than 10% of their clients invested in commercial property.
This trend is expected to continue in 2025. Only a small number of clients, about 6%, were reported to have a high interest in commercial real estate investments in 2024, and none are expected to show strong interest in 2025.
According to the report, a major reason for the drop in interest is the oversupply of office space, which has led to high vacancy rates and falling rental income.
Investors are now looking at alternatives such as student housing, land in rural areas, and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), which offer more flexibility and potentially better returns.
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