More African-American professionals and families are finding a place to call home in Africa, sparking economic growth beyond cities. This relocation wave transforms markets, drives innovation, and opens new opportunities in real estate, healthcare, and business.
In one of its biggest restructurings yet, the UN is shifting key operations to Nairobi—most notably UNFPA, which is relocating 25% of its global staff from New York and setting up a major regional base. The Department of Operational Support and the Office of Information and Communications Technology are following suit.
The move is more than symbolic. It reflects Nairobi’s rise as a preferred hub for global operations, which could result in new jobs, higher demand for commercial space, and the hospitality sector.
Yet even as the market grows, policy hasn’t entirely kept pace. “There’s no real immigration law allowing someone to relocate and work remotely.
A digital nomad permit was announced in 2023, but it still hasn’t appeared on the immigration website. However, as urban centres like ‘Kilimani’ become more congested, the interest in relocation is expected to ripple outward.
Grammy-nominated artist and entrepreneur Kelis is among the high-profile names to make the move. In 2023, she relocated to Kenya and purchased farmland in Naivasha, a town 93km west of Nairobi.
Outside Kenya, African-American migration continues to deepen its roots across Africa, especially in the eastern and western regions.
While Ghana is a well-established destination for this migration, Rwanda and Senegal have also emerged, leveraging favourable policies, infrastructural ambitions, and political stability to draw global citizens.
