Kenya's office market is undergoing a fundamental shift as businesses increasingly abandon rigid long-term leases in favour of flexible workspaces that offer agility, lower costs and employee-focused environments.
Once associated mainly with freelancers and startups, coworking spaces are now attracting multinational corporations, financial institutions, NGOs and professional services firms seeking offices that support hybrid work, collaboration and staff wellbeing.
As demand grows, operators are reimagining workplaces by combining hospitality, sustainability and technology to create experiences rather than simply renting out desks.
The trend is reshaping commercial real estate, with developers and landlords increasingly viewing flexible workspace as a key component of modern office buildings.
Workable Founder and CEO Samir Patel spoke to the Star on how Kenya's coworking market has evolved since the Covid-19 pandemic, the factors driving demand, emerging investment hotspots, the impact of rising operating costs and why he believes flexible workspaces will become a core part of the country's commercial property market over the next five years.
Excerpts:
Tell us about Workable, when was it started, what gap did you identify, what are you offering and how has the journey been?
Workable is a premium flexible workspace operator that delivers exceptional workplace experiences by integrating hospitality, sustainability and wellness to drive human performance. We identified a gap in the Kenyan market: plenty of desks were available, but very few environments were genuinely designed around how people feel and perform at work.
Our flagship in Westlands reflects that philosophy—it holds Africa's first WELL Coworking Rating alongside EDGE green building certification. The journey has been one of constant learning, but the response from businesses, particularly multinationals and growing enterprises, has validated our belief that the workplace should be an investment in people.
How has Kenya's coworking and flexible workspace market evolved over the past five years?
The market has matured significantly. Five years ago, coworking was largely associated with freelancers and startups. Today, we are seeing businesses of every size, from SMEs to multinational companies, embracing flexible workspaces as part of their long-term workplace strategy.
The conversation has shifted from simply finding a desk to creating environments that support productivity, collaboration and employee wellbeing. Businesses are looking for spaces that can adapt as they grow, while offering a professional experience that reflects their brand.
What are the biggest factors driving demand for flexible workspaces in Kenya today?
Flexibility is the biggest driver. Businesses want the ability to scale up or down without being tied to long-term leases. Beyond that, organisations are looking for quality office environments that help attract and retain talent.
Access to premium amenities, reliable technology, wellness features, hospitality and a sense of community have become just as important as location. Companies increasingly recognise that where people work has a direct impact on productivity and employee satisfaction.
How would you describe the current health of the coworking sector compared to the period before and after the Covid-19 pandemic?
The sector is much stronger today. Before the pandemic, flexible workspaces were often viewed as an alternative office solution. Since then, they've become a strategic business decision. The pandemic fundamentally changed how organisations think about work.
Many businesses now want flexibility built into their workplace strategy, and coworking has become an effective way to provide employees with professional spaces while remaining agile.
Which sectors or industries are driving the highest demand for coworking spaces?
Technology companies remain strong users of flexible workspaces, but we are also seeing growing demand from professional services firms, NGOs, financial services, consulting companies, creative agencies and multinational organisations establishing or expanding their presence in Kenya. Many of these businesses value the flexibility, professional environment and operational convenience.
What type of clients are increasingly choosing coworking spaces, startups, SMEs, multinational companies, freelancers or remote workers?
Today it is a very diverse mix. Startups and SMEs continue to be important, but we are seeing more established businesses and multinational companies choosing flexible workspaces for project teams, satellite offices and regional operations.
Remote and hybrid workers also value the opportunity to work in a professional environment that offers structure, collaboration and access to a vibrant business community.
Have you noticed a shift from companies leasing traditional office space to adopting flexible workspace solutions?
Absolutely. We are seeing organisations become much more intentional about how they use office space. Rather than committing to large offices for many years, businesses want solutions that can evolve with their changing workforce and business needs. Flexible workspaces reduce risk while giving companies access to premium offices without the capital investment and operational complexity of managing their own premises.
What are clients looking for beyond affordable office space?
Clients want reliable technology, security, excellent customer service, thoughtfully designed spaces, wellness initiatives, sustainability, networking opportunities and hospitality that makes employees feel valued. Increasingly, businesses understand that a workplace is an investment in people, not simply a place to work.
Are businesses now prioritising flexibility over long-term office leases?
For many organisations, yes. Flexibility has become a strategic advantage. Businesses want the freedom to respond quickly to market changes, workforce growth and evolving ways of working without being locked into long-term commitments.
Has hybrid work become a permanent feature of Kenya's corporate landscape?
We believe hybrid work is here to stay, although every organisation is finding its own balance. Rather than replacing the office, hybrid work has redefined its purpose. The office has become a place for collaboration, innovation, learning and culture rather than simply somewhere employees go every day.
How has the rise of remote work changed the way businesses use office space?
Businesses are using office space more intentionally. Instead of allocating desks for every employee, they're creating environments that encourage teamwork, client meetings and collaboration. Quality has become more important than quantity.
What workplace trends do you expect to dominate over the next five years?
We will continue to see workplaces become more human-centred. Wellness, sustainability, technology and flexibility will become standard expectations rather than differentiators. Offices will increasingly be designed to enhance employee performance, support collaboration and create meaningful workplace experiences. Organisations that invest in people-first workplaces will have a competitive advantage.
Is Kenya becoming an attractive destination for investment in flexible workspaces?
Yes. Kenya has a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem, a growing multinational presence and a young, highly skilled workforce. These factors continue to create demand for flexible, high-quality office solutions. Investors are recognising that workplace expectations have fundamentally changed, creating significant opportunities for innovative workspace operators.
Which locations in Nairobi or other towns are emerging as the next hotspots for coworking developments?
Westlands remains one of Nairobi's strongest business districts because of its accessibility and concentration of local and international businesses. We are also seeing continued growth in areas such as Upper Hill, Karen and Gigiri, where businesses are seeking premium office environments close to their clients and employees.
Are you seeing increased demand outside Nairobi in cities such as Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru or Eldoret?
Nairobi remains the largest market, but we are seeing growing interest in cities such as Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret as regional economies continue to develop. As businesses decentralise and hybrid work grows, quality flexible workspaces in these cities will become increasingly important.
What opportunities exist for property developers looking to enter the flexible office market?
Developers have an opportunity to rethink office buildings as destinations rather than simply spaces for rent. Integrating flexible workspace, hospitality, wellness and sustainability can significantly enhance the long-term value and attractiveness of commercial developments.
How have high operating costs, inflation and interest rates affected demand for office space?
Businesses are becoming more cost-conscious and are carefully evaluating operational expenses. Flexible workspaces help organisations manage costs because they avoid significant upfront investment while providing predictable monthly operating expenses.
Is the current economic environment encouraging businesses to downsize into coworking spaces as a cost-saving measure?
We see it less as downsising and more as rightsizing. Businesses want office solutions that match their current needs while giving them room to grow when the time is right.
What impact have rising commercial rents had on businesses' workspace decisions?
Businesses are having to reconsider traditional leasing models. Flexible workspaces provide access to premium office environments without the financial burden and long-term commitments associated with conventional leases.
How is technology transforming the coworking experience?
Technology is making workplaces smarter and more seamless. From digital access control and meeting room booking systems to high-speed connectivity and hybrid meeting technology, businesses expect frictionless experiences. Technology should simplify work so people can focus on what matters most.
The coworking market has become increasingly competitive. What differentiates Workable from other providers?
We don't just provide office spaces, we create workplace experiences. Our approach combines hospitality, sustainability, wellness and community because we believe these directly influence how people feel and perform at work. Every decision, from workspace design to customer service, is centered around helping businesses and their people succeed.
What are the biggest challenges facing operators of coworking spaces in Kenya?
The biggest challenges are rising operating costs, particularly power and connectivity where reliability is non-negotiable, and the need to continually invest in quality while remaining accessible. There is also an education challenge, helping landlords and businesses understand that flexible workspace is a professional, strategic solution rather than a stopgap. Finally, talent: hospitality-led service requires people who genuinely care, and building that culture takes deliberate effort.
What is your outlook for Kenya's office and coworking market over the next five years?
Very positive. We expect flexible workspace to move from the periphery to the core of Kenya's commercial office market. Landlords will increasingly partner with operators rather than compete with them, and buildings that integrate flexibility, wellness and hospitality will outperform those that don't. Nairobi is well positioned to become East Africa's leading flexible workspace market.
Do you expect flexible workspaces to eventually account for a significant share of the country's commercial office market?
Yes. Globally, flexible workspace is projected to account for a meaningful share of commercial office stock in major cities, and Kenya will follow that trajectory. As leases come up for renewal and businesses prioritise agility, we expect flexible solutions to become a standard component of corporate real estate strategy rather than an exception.
If you had to describe the future workplace in Kenya in one sentence, what would it look like?
A place people choose to be, human-centred, technology-enabled and hospitality-led, designed to help people do their best work.
If you were advising a company reviewing its office strategy today, what factors should it consider?
Start with your people, not the floor plan. Consider how your teams actually work, what environments help them perform and how much flexibility you need as the business evolves. Then look at total cost of occupancy, not just rent—fit-out, technology, facilities and management all add up. Finally, think about what your workspace says about your brand to both employees and clients.
Where do you see Workable in the next five years?
We see Workable operating multiple locations across Nairobi and beyond, increasingly in partnership with landlords and property owners who want their buildings brought to life. Our ambition is to set the standard for people-first workplaces in the region—spaces where wellness, sustainability and hospitality aren't add-ons but the foundation.
