Working in Nairobi
Few expats working in Nairobi relocate to Kenya without a job offer, most come under the umbrella of an already negotiated contract, and in some cases, a lucrative employment package.
The city of Nairobi, which gets its name from the Maasai tribe who initially referred to it as Enkare Nyirobi, which loosely translates to “The Land of Cold Water”, is the largest metropolis in East Africa, and the main commercial centre of the country.
It is a relatively well-developed industrial centre, whose principal products include processed food, beer, vehicles-parts assembly, soaps, construction material, textiles, and chemicals.
Additionally, it’s home to the Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE), an officially recognised body overseas, and one of Africa’s largest stock exchanges. NSE ranks 4th in Africa in terms of trading volumes and fifth in terms of market capitalisation.
The economy in Nairobi has been rising steadily over the years, until mid-2011, when the growth expectation was lowered due to, among other reasons, the high rate of inflation of and the plummeting value of the shilling (KES).
This local currency hit an all-time low against the US dollar in August 2011, and the rate of unemployment also remains quite high.
In order to work in Nairobi expats must be in possession of a work permit from the Principal Immigration Officer, which employers apply for on the behalf of employees. These documents are not normally approved unless the prospective employer(s) can show evidence that they have been unable to fill the particular post(s) due to lack of suitably qualified personnel in the Kenya labour market.
Expats planning on working in Nairobi should not relocate until their employer has secured the appropriate entry/work permits.
It is not easy, though it is not impossible, for expats to find jobs in Nairobi. As mentioned, most foreigners are brought to the city by previously secured contracts.
The most likely areas in which employment might be found are in the tourism, teaching, advertising and journalism sectors, but it is unlikely you will find available positions formally advertised. Most post openings are communicated through word of mouth; hence, it is advisable for one to join expat forums/groups and to attend meet-ups to get to know other expats in Nairobi.
That said, web sites listing vacancies within Nairobi are also present, to some degree.
Agriculture has always been the driving force of the economy in Kenya, but the industry sector that is causing a lot of recent buzz is the IT sector. Expats who would like to do business in Nairobi should look for opportunities in this sector, as well as in the relief and development sector. Nairobi is awash with the United Nations’ staff and other aid agencies serving the communities effected by the famines in Somalia and Southern Sudan. Lastly, freelance work in the fields of journalism, literature and film is also possible, but if you get involved in this, make sure you have a cast-iron contract in place.
When it comes to business etiquette in Nairobi, western business practices prevail, but the following tips are also helpful:
The city of Nairobi, which gets its name from the Maasai tribe who initially referred to it as Enkare Nyirobi, which loosely translates to “The Land of Cold Water”, is the largest metropolis in East Africa, and the main commercial centre of the country.
It is a relatively well-developed industrial centre, whose principal products include processed food, beer, vehicles-parts assembly, soaps, construction material, textiles, and chemicals.Additionally, it’s home to the Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE), an officially recognised body overseas, and one of Africa’s largest stock exchanges. NSE ranks 4th in Africa in terms of trading volumes and fifth in terms of market capitalisation.
The economy in Nairobi has been rising steadily over the years, until mid-2011, when the growth expectation was lowered due to, among other reasons, the high rate of inflation of and the plummeting value of the shilling (KES).
This local currency hit an all-time low against the US dollar in August 2011, and the rate of unemployment also remains quite high.
In order to work in Nairobi expats must be in possession of a work permit from the Principal Immigration Officer, which employers apply for on the behalf of employees. These documents are not normally approved unless the prospective employer(s) can show evidence that they have been unable to fill the particular post(s) due to lack of suitably qualified personnel in the Kenya labour market.
Expats planning on working in Nairobi should not relocate until their employer has secured the appropriate entry/work permits.
Job opportunities in Nairobi
It is not easy, though it is not impossible, for expats to find jobs in Nairobi. As mentioned, most foreigners are brought to the city by previously secured contracts.
The most likely areas in which employment might be found are in the tourism, teaching, advertising and journalism sectors, but it is unlikely you will find available positions formally advertised. Most post openings are communicated through word of mouth; hence, it is advisable for one to join expat forums/groups and to attend meet-ups to get to know other expats in Nairobi.
That said, web sites listing vacancies within Nairobi are also present, to some degree.
- Kenyancareer.com - an up-to-date listing of vacancies in Nairobi and Kenya at large.
Agriculture has always been the driving force of the economy in Kenya, but the industry sector that is causing a lot of recent buzz is the IT sector. Expats who would like to do business in Nairobi should look for opportunities in this sector, as well as in the relief and development sector. Nairobi is awash with the United Nations’ staff and other aid agencies serving the communities effected by the famines in Somalia and Southern Sudan. Lastly, freelance work in the fields of journalism, literature and film is also possible, but if you get involved in this, make sure you have a cast-iron contract in place.
Business etiquette in Nairobi
When it comes to business etiquette in Nairobi, western business practices prevail, but the following tips are also helpful:
- A formal handshake (using the right hand) is the standard greeting.
- Address Kenyans by their title and surname, unless you are invited to use their first name.
- Suits are the expected attire for business meetings, though a shirt and tie will suffice in less formal situations. Kenyans are quite conservative and advance appointments are required for meetings; call ahead if you are likely to be late.
- Most business people speak English, and it is customary to exchange business cards.
- Small talk is normal, and it may take some time to get to the point of a meeting.
- The eldest person in the room is often designated as chairperson.
- When negotiating a price, some haggling is expected, but angry exchanges are to be avoided.
