NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya’s affluent investors are increasingly moving away from concentrating wealth in traditional residential property and embracing alternative asset classes that promise stronger returns, better liquidity and long-term resilience, according to the latest Knight Frank Kenya Wealth & Investment Trends Report 2026.
The report shows a significant shift in investment strategy as high-net-worth individuals diversify into sectors such as data centres, logistics, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), renewable energy and professionally managed rental housing, reflecting growing confidence in emerging sectors driven by technology and changing market dynamics.
Knight Frank Kenya Chief Executive Officer Mark Dunford said investors are increasingly prioritising assets that generate stable income while offering resilience against market fluctuations.
“The modern investor is looking beyond conventional asset classes. There is growing interest in investments that combine income, resilience and long-term growth. This reflects a more sophisticated approach to wealth creation,” Dunford said.
According to the report, the shift is being fuelled by Kenya’s expanding digital economy, rapid urbanisation and continued infrastructure development.
Demand for data centres is growing alongside increased cloud computing adoption and artificial intelligence infrastructure, while logistics properties continue benefiting from the expansion of e-commerce and regional trade.
Knight Frank Africa Research Analyst Boniface Abudho noted that investors are not abandoning real estate altogether but are repositioning their portfolios toward sectors backed by long-term structural economic trends.
“Investors are diversifying rather than abandoning property. Capital is moving towards sectors supported by structural trends that are expected to shape the economy for many years,” Abudho said.
Despite the changing investment landscape, residential property remains a key component of wealth preservation. However, investors are increasingly complementing property holdings with fixed-income products, liquid investments and specialised real estate sectors to improve portfolio balance.
Dunford said Kenya continues to offer compelling investment opportunities, with investors becoming more deliberate about where they allocate capital.
“The difference today is that investors are becoming more deliberate in where they deploy capital,” he said.
The report concludes that while preserving wealth remains a priority, affluent investors are increasingly pursuing growth opportunities aligned with technological innovation, demographic changes and evolving consumer behaviour.
Abudho said the findings point to a maturing investment market where portfolios are becoming more diversified and future-focused.
“The findings show a market that is maturing. Investors are building portfolios that are diversified, future focused and aligned to long-term economic transformation.”
Knight Frank’s findings underscore a broader trend in Kenya’s investment landscape, where alternative assets are emerging as an increasingly attractive destination for capital seeking sustainable growth beyond conventional residential real estate.