Kenya’s startup ecosystem remains one of Africa’s strongest, but Mombasa’s rise highlights the gap beyond Nairobi

Mombasa has climbed 22 places in the global startup rankings, offering a rare bright spot for Kenya’s startup ecosystem at a time when the country’s overall position has weakened and Nairobi’s dominance remains difficult to challenge. The coastal city ranked 894th globally in 2026, up from 916th in 2025, according to…