Wealthy Kenyan Investors Shift Focus to Alternative Assets, Data Centres and Logistics Lead as Traditional Property Loses Ground

Kenya’s wealthy investors are fundamentally reshaping their portfolios, moving beyond traditional residential property and increasing exposure to alternative investments, according to Knight Frank Kenya's Wealth & Investment Trends Report 2026 . The findings reveal a sophisticated shift towards assets that offer stronger income generation, liquidity, and long-term resilience, with data centres, logistics, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), renewable energy, and professionally managed rental housing emerging as the most attractive opportunities .

The report, which surveyed private bankers, wealth advisors, and high-net-worth individuals, shows affluent investors are deliberately reducing the proportion of wealth allocated to primary and secondary homes. Instead, they are channelling capital into sectors supported by structural trends expected to shape the economy for years to come . "The modern investor is looking beyond conventional asset classes," said Mark Dunford, CEO of Knight Frank Kenya. "There is growing interest in investments that combine income, resilience and long-term growth. This reflects a more sophisticated approach to wealth creation." 

Kenya's expanding digital economy, rapid urbanisation, and infrastructure development are the key drivers behind this transition . Data centres are benefitting from soaring demand for cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. Industry forecasts indicate double-digit growth in Kenya's installed data centre capacity through 2030, as hyper-scale cloud operators and AI-driven businesses expand across the region. Multiple subsea cable landings in Mombasa, Nairobi's strong technology ecosystem, and a growing focus on geothermal-powered energy solutions are cementing Kenya's position as East Africa's digital infrastructure hub . Boniface Abudho, Research Analyst at Knight Frank Africa, noted that "Investors are diversifying rather than abandoning property. Capital is moving towards sectors supported by structural trends." 

The report also highlights that logistics assets are gaining significant momentum, driven by the explosive growth of e-commerce, regional trade integration, and increased manufacturing activity within Special Economic Zones (SEZs). The country's warehousing and storage market, valued at $3.4 billion (Sh439.2 billion) in 2025, is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 6.51% to $4.7 billion, with prime serviced industrial land within strategic corridors becoming increasingly scarce. Concurrently, the commercial property market is seeing a shift towards sustainable refurbishment of older buildings, as Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations reshape investment decisions. Knight Frank notes that investors are identifying opportunities to upgrade existing assets through energy-efficient improvements and renewable energy integration, with 38% of respondents targeting underperforming commercial properties for refurbishment. A significant 75% of respondents cited renewable energy as a leading consideration when assessing commercial property

.

While Kenya's prime office market is showing signs of recovery driven by a "flight to quality" towards Grade A buildings with strong ESG credentials, the report underscores that residential property remains an important component of wealth preservation. Investors are, however, increasingly seeking balance through liquid investments, fixed-income products, and specialised real estate sectors. Despite access to international opportunities, most affluent investors maintain the majority of their residential property holdings within Kenya, with limited interest in second citizenships or alternative residency programmes. "Kenya continues to present compelling investment opportunities," Dunford added. "The difference today is that investors are becoming more deliberate in where they deploy capital."