Nairobi emerging as export hub for high-value professional services

Kenya's is recording a shift in its exports as more professionals now sell their expertise to the regional and global markets.

A growing number of professional services firms are advising governments, multinational corporations, investors and development institutions across Africa, positioning the city as an emerging hub for the export of high-value knowledge and advisory services.

The latest sign of this shift came after Nairobi-headquartered communications consultancy Woodrow was named Africa Agency of the Year 2026 by PRovoke Media, a global authority on the communications industry.

The company’s head of east and southern Africa, David Karega, said while the award recognises the firm's rapid growth, it also reflects a broader trend of Kenyan professional services firms building regional businesses from Nairobi.

"From major launches and investment announcements to reputation management, policy engagement and crisis situations, we have had the privilege of helping them achieve influence. It shows that globally recognised PR excellence can be built from Nairobi and delivered across Africa."

Founded just five years ago, Woodrow has expanded from Kenya into multiple African markets, with teams and partners in Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia, Senegal and South Africa, delivering assignments across 13 countries.

Since 2024, the consultancy says it has more than doubled its revenue while supporting clients on policy, reputation, investment and crisis communications mandates across the continent.

Woodrow's founder and chief executive, Charlie Tarr, said the company's growth has been driven by an Africa-first model built around local expertise rather than imported solutions.

"When we started Woodrow, we believed Africa deserved communications advice built for Africa's realities, not imported templates. This recognition is a testament to our people, our clients and our belief that world-class strategic communications can be built from the continent and compete with the very best anywhere in the world," he said.

The consultancy says its work increasingly involves helping organisations navigate complex policy environments, investment announcements, stakeholder engagement and reputation management services that have become more valuable as companies expand across African markets and face heightened regulatory, political and public scrutiny.

Its growth mirrors an increasing number of Nairobi-based firms exporting expertise, law firms have expanded beyond Kenya to advise clients on cross-border mergers, infrastructure projects and regional investments.

Accounting and audit firms are increasingly coordinating East African and pan-African assignments from Nairobi, while fintech consultancies, technology advisers and strategy firms are helping businesses navigate digital transformation, regulation and expansion into new markets.

The trend reflects Africa's deepening economic integration, growing cross-border investment and rising demand for advisers with local market knowledge across multiple jurisdictions.