Nairobi, known as “the safari capital of Africa,” offers a unique blend of business and biodiversity, with the Nairobi National Park located just 10 km from the city centre. How will the increased efforts in Kenya’s tourism branding impact sustainability and environmental management, innovative measures, livability and expat interest, and the economic performance of Nairobi? How well does the Kenyan capital fare in leading rankings and indices?
Let’s take a closer look at:
- Nairobi’s competitiveness and financial performance
- Its city brand strength and reputation
- How appealing for visitors, talent, investors, and locals?
Economic Competitiveness
The Global Financial Centres Index 34 ranks Nairobi 90th, jumping 13 positions from the previous ranking—currently between Riga (89th) and Cape Town (91st). It holds a strong 12th place in the Middle Eastern and African (MENA) region.
According to 2thinknow’s Innovation Cities Index 2022-2023, Nairobi ranks 418th, a drop of four positions from the previous ranking—with much room for improvement.
City Brand Strength and Reputation
According to Brand Finance’s City Index 2023, Nairobi ranks 94th globally.
Kearney’s 2023 Global Cities Report ranks Nairobi 86th, a drop of four positions compared to last year’s publication. It ranks 125th in the same firm’s Global Cities Outlook, a jump of two positions since the previous edition.
How Attractive as a Place to Live, Work, and Study?
The Mercer Quality of Living City Ranking places Nairobi 189th, tying with Algiers. The same company’s Cost of Living Ranking puts it 173rd, a drop of 13 positions and almost on par with Bandar Seri Begawan (172nd) and Rabat (174th).
Urban Sustainability
The Arcadis Sustainability City Index 2022 ranks Nairobi 96th overall, sitting between New Delhi (95th) and Johannesburg (97th). Its sustainability-specific pillar rankings are: Planet 82nd, People 98th, and Profit 95th.
Last updated in January 2024. Explore more city profiles here.
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Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended to provide a general overview of Nairobi’s economic and cultural landscape and facilitate comparison over time. While we strive for accuracy and completeness, we are not responsible for any typographical errors or inaccuracies. The data is provided ‘as is’ without warranty of any kind. Users should verify any information before relying on it for decision-making purposes.
