Best Cities for Startups in East Africa

It’s a whole new age for starting up companies. Those cities that were once considered ridiculous to start a business in, are nowadays especially lucrative for entrepreneurs. This has a lot to do with development of the Internet, thanks to which, starting up companies can be done almost anywhere. Places that were deemed backwaters by businessmen of the 20th century, are now using their disadvantages to excel at certain types of businesses. Naturally, investments have followed in suit, which has helped these cities rise from the ashes into new, bigger shoes of world’s business centers.

Kampala, Uganda

Kampala

Widely regarded as the best East African capital to live and work in, Kampala hides its lucrativeness behind a humble outlook. A capital of a country, extremely friendly towards strangers, tourists and expatriates, this city is a perfect spot for your company’s branch abroad. Naturally, where tolerance goes, the diversity follows – Uganda is the world’s most diverse nation.

With more than 40 ethnic groups to brag about, it is home to citizens of various nations, whether it’s expatriates, refugees or immigrants that we’re talking about. In addition to many cultural landmarks and beautiful nature that it has to offer, this country has seen an enormous economic growth in the past couple of years.

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Dar es Salaam

Here’s an interesting fact – this town literally means “Haven of Peace”, when translated to English. With a name like that, Dar es Salaam has quite some shoes to fill – and, luckily for any young entrepreneur – it certainly does so. Inspired by African, Indian, Arabic and even German influences, this town hides a lot of diverse history and stories. Quite some more upbeat than other East African capitals, this is a city in which having fun is more than possible – it is almost unavoidable.

However, what is very important with regards to this town, in terms of business is that, although it’s upbeat, it is not at all fast-paced and embroidered with night clubs and wild nightlife, which gives this city a more serious, professional note. For the first time visitor or entrepreneur planning a startup here, it is convenient to browse the internet and websites like Kupatana for real estate or other things they will need when they set up a business.

Nairobi, Kenya

Nairobi

Now if you’re looking to set up a business in a more business-oriented environment, Nairobi just might be a perfect place for you. Bustling with a myriad of opportunities, this East African capital is home to a huge language diversity. A great deal of Kenyans speak Mandarin, Spanish, German, French, Russian, Arabic, not to mention English and their native Swahili.Yet another lucrative benefit which this city has in offer is a moderate climate, with low humidity and pleasant temperatures. However, if Nairobi excels at something, it is the diversity of its tech scene. A technological hub of the entire Africa, Kenya’s tech exports in 2010 were valued at US$360 million! 

Kigali, Rwanda

Kigali

While this town might be lagging a couple of steps behind the mentioned, what it has to offer in amounts way more significant than the rest of the bunch, is a ton of opportunity. Let’s face it – the boom that the Internet has caused all over East Africa has inspired a lot of competition within its capitals. This is where Kigali kicks in. While it is far from a blank piece of paper when it comes to setting up businesses, it offers a lot more room for those professional enough, yet in search for a safe spot for making an expatriate business.

So there you have it, 4 East African capitals to set up businesses in. Quite safe, lucrative and with a ton of interesting features, immensely beautiful sights and convenient East African climate, these cities have moved a long way in the past couple of decades.

Nate M. Vickery is a entrepreneur and business consultant from Sydney, Australia, who is looking to start a tech company in East Africa. He is an editor on Bizzmarkblog.com.