Kenya offers expats good salaries and a total lifestyle change

Africa may not be at the top of prospective expat professionals’ list of suitable continents, but Kenya and its capital Nairobi are undiscovered gems for many.

The African state of Kenya is famed for the spectacular natural beauty of its wildlife havens, but many would-be expats don’t quite realise it’s one of the vast continent’s most developed nations. Nairobi is now an Eastern African business hub offering great opportunities to adventurous expat professionals. The country’s most important business sectors are IT, tourism and manufacturing, and the capital’s quality of life is more than satisfactory.

Most importantly, Kenya is a stable country with a developed agricultural base providing home-grown, home-reared fresh ingredients at local markets offering far better prices than in the city’s supermarkets. The local cultures and their cuisines are one reason why the cost of living is reasonable both for expats and locals, and the Kenyan diet is healthy and balanced. Many would-be expats considering Kenya as their next base have concerns about health hazards such as malaria, but recommended vaccinations can take care of the vast majority of common illnesses.

Others may have problems concerning the quality of water supplies in the capital, but under-sink specialist water filters are all that’s needed for safe home supplies, and common sense is enough when out and about. One huge plus-point about living and working in Kenya is that the great outdoors is truly great as regards the natural beauty found in rural walks and protected forest areas. Another advantage of working in Kenya is that the English language is widely spoken and understood.

The easiest way to live and work in Kenya is to secure a job before you arrive, as this makes the visa paperwork far more straightforward. A good number of IT companies are headquartered in Nairobi, as are the African headquarters of many multinationals. One developing industry is oil and gas, with supplies located in 2012 but not yet fully utilised due to infrastructure issues. Another option is working for one of the many NGOs located in the region. Those lucky enough to have secured a job before their arrival might do well to check out Kenyan business etiquette as it’s somewhat different than in other expat professional hubs.