Capital city in Nairobi County, Kenya
Internet in Nairobi: speed, SIM cards and coworking
Is the internet good in Nairobi?
Median fixed broadband in Kenya is 23 Mbps and mobile is 45 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-06). Good wifi in Westlands and Kilimani cafés and coworking spaces; carry a Safaricom data bundle as backup.
Getting online in Nairobi
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Home fibre | Fibre from Safaricom, Zuku and Faiba in most apartments; about 3,000–6,000 KES a month. |
| Cafés and coworking | Good wifi in Westlands and Kilimani cafés and coworking spaces; carry a Safaricom data bundle as backup. |
| Outages | Power cuts and fibre cuts happen; coworking spaces have generators. |
| Tourist SIM | Safaricom has a shop at Nairobi airport arrivals; bring your passport for registration and ask them to activate M-Pesa. Data bundles are cheap. |
| eSIM | Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors. |
| Carriers | Safaricom, Airtel Kenya, Telkom Kenya |
| Monthly data plan | KSh1,000–2,500 ($7.7–19.3) |
| Blocked services | No permanent blocks, but Telegram has been cut during national exams and the internet slowed during major protests. |
Coworking spaces in Nairobi
Spaces we checked are open in 2026. Prices change; confirm on their sites.
| Space | Area | Day pass |
|---|---|---|
| Nairobi Garage | Westlands, Kilimani and other branches | — |
| iHub | Ngong Road, near Adams Arcade | — |
Internet speeds in Africa
National medians, Speedtest Global Index.
Quick answers
Is the internet fast in Nairobi?
Median fixed broadband in Kenya is 23 Mbps and mobile is 45 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-06). Good wifi in Westlands and Kilimani cafés and coworking spaces; carry a Safaricom data bundle as backup.
Which SIM card should I get in Nairobi?
Safaricom has a shop at Nairobi airport arrivals; bring your passport for registration and ask them to activate M-Pesa. Data bundles are cheap.
Can I use an eSIM in Kenya?
Yes. Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors, and travel eSIMs work too.
Are there coworking spaces in Nairobi?
Yes: Nairobi Garage, iHub.
More about Nairobi
Going to Nairobi solo?
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Sources
- Speedtest Global Index: Kenya
- Safaricom
- Airtel Kenya
- Telkom Kenya
- Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Kenya Airports Authority)
- Kenya Railways
- Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi
- UK FCDO travel advice: Kenya
Speeds are medians from Ookla's Speedtest Global Index, cited for reference. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.