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. A rising metropolis in Kenya, the city has seen its profile rise considerably over the last few years.
But how does Nairobi perform in terms of image, reputation, influence, business attractiveness, liveability, and sustainability, according to leading rankings and indices?
Overview of Nairobi’s Performance & Potential
The following table offers an overview of Nairobi’s overall performance across various international rankings. For a deeper analysis, our custom reports provide tailored insights for specific contexts, such as cities, regions, or countries.
| Ranking | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| Brand Finance Global City Index | – | – | – | – | 94 | 85 | – |
| Global Financial Centres Index | – | 87 | 106 | 101 | 103 | 95 | 100 |
| 2Thinknow Innovation Cities Index | 433 | – | – | – | 418 | – | – |
| Kearney Global Cities Index | 77 | 90 | 89 | 82 | 86 | 97 | – |
| Mercer Quality of Living Ranking | 186 | – | – | – | 189 | 191 | – |
| Mercer Cost of Living Ranking | 97 | 95 | 145 | 160 | 173 | 201 | – |
| Numbeo Cost of Living Index | – | 282 | 446 | 459 | 445 | 349 | 251 |
| Numbeo Quality of Life Index | – | 218 | 244 | 238 | 214 | 175 | 244 |
| IESE Cities in Motion Index | 162 | 154 | – | 171 | – | 173 | 172 |
| Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index | – | – | – | 96 | – | 98 | – |
City Brand Strength
Nairobi is emerging as a key urban player in Africa, blending entrepreneurial energy with growing global connectivity. In Brand Finance’s Global City Index 2024, Nairobi ranks 85th, underscoring its growing recognition as a regional hub for finance, innovation, and culture. Although it sits lower in Kearney’s Global Power City Index 2024 at 97th, the city’s inclusion reflects its increasing importance on the global stage.
Appeal to Investors and Business
Nairobi is in the early stages of establishing itself as an innovation-driven city. Ranked 418th in the 2Thinknow Innovation Cities 2023 Index, it reflects a nascent yet fast-growing innovation ecosystem anchored by a thriving startup culture, mobile-first solutions, and strong regional demand for digital services. In the GFCI 37 Rank ranking, Nairobi holds the 100th position—highlighting its emerging status as a financial centre in sub-Saharan Africa.
Appeal to Talent
Nairobi offers a vibrant and dynamic urban experience shaped by its role as East Africa’s economic and cultural hub. However, the city faces persistent challenges in quality of life and affordability. In Mercer’s Quality of Living Ranking 2024, Nairobi ranks 191st, and 244th in Numbeo’s Quality of Life Index 2025 —reflecting ongoing concerns around infrastructure, public safety, and access to consistent services.
Despite being a regional centre for commerce and diplomacy, affordability remains a pressing issue for many residents. Nairobi ranks 201st in Mercer’s Cost of Living Ranking 2024 and 251st in Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index 2025, indicating high living costs relative to income and inconsistent value in housing, transport, and daily expenses.
Urban Sustainability
Nairobi is navigating the complexities of rapid urbanisation while striving to advance its sustainability and governance agendas. In the Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index 2024, the city ranks 98th, signalling significant challenges in environmental resilience, infrastructure planning, and resource management. While efforts are underway to enhance green mobility and reduce emissions, progress is uneven and hindered by infrastructural and institutional limitations.
In the IESE Cities in Motion Index 2025, Nairobi ranks 172nd, reflecting persistent struggles in areas such as urban governance, digital infrastructure, and public service delivery.
Our Key Takeaways
Nairobi is emerging as a vital urban and economic hub in Africa, known for its entrepreneurial energy, youthful population, and strategic regional role. While facing challenges in infrastructure, sustainability, and service delivery, the city remains a key gateway for investment, innovation, and digital services on the continent.
- Strengths: Regional tech and business hub, dynamic entrepreneurial culture, strategic geographic location.
- Weaknesses: Underdeveloped infrastructure, service delivery gaps, low sustainability scores.
- Opportunities: Investment in digital transformation, public transport upgrades, green urban planning.
- Threats: Rapid urbanisation outpacing services, environmental stress, inequality in access to opportunity.
Last updated in July 2025. 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, the data is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind. Please verify any information before relying on it for decision-making purposes.
