8 Most In-Demand Skills in Kenya for 2026

Kenya is aiming to invest in digitization to boost economic growth, enhance financial inclusion, and create job opportunities. According to a GSMA report, Kenya's digital economy will add KSH 662 billion to GDP by 2028. This growth is due to the recent policy reforms that will transform sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and trade.

Experts say that this dynamic shift to digitalization is expected to create 300,000 jobs within the next few years. However,  due to skill mismatches, organizations in the ICT, construction, and agriculture sectors are finding difficulty in hiring skilled professionals. In this article, we'll discuss the top in-demand skills in Kenya 2026. 

Key Aspects of Work Culture in Kenya

Learning about Kenya's key workplace aspects help professionals become well-accustomed to the work environment, collaborate efficiently, and enhance overall productivity. Some of the most important elements of Kenya's work culture include:

• Community-Centric Work Ethic: Teamwork and collaboration are inherent in the Kenyan Harambee (Swahili for "pulling together") philosophy. Staff appreciate teamwork and frequently lend support to one another outside the boundaries of job requirements.
• Resourcefulness & Multi-Skilling: Kenyan professionals are particularly good at handling a multiplicity of roles in the workplace. With the rapid evolution of business environments and the limited availability of resources in certain sectors, employees frequently perform tasks outside their job definitions. 
• Emphasis on Formal Attire: The workplace environment requires workers to follow formal dress standards especially when working for corporate organizations or in public-facing positions. Most people associate formal attire with both competence and respect.

Which Skills are In-Demand in Kenya?

Kenya’s digital transformation is driving demand for professionals with cloud computing, AI, cybersecurity, and data analytics skills. Meanwhile, growth in construction and renewable energy is fueling the need for engineers and technicians. Let’s explore the most in-demand skills in Kenya today.

1. Cloud Computing

Kenya's SMEs are adopting cloud solutions to expand globally and improve working efficiency. The government is driving this shift with supportive regulations and a cloud policy to boost digital transformation. However, Kenya's Cloud Policy report highlights a challenge a growing skill gap.

‍Businesses need skilled professionals to manage cloud migration, but many struggle to find the right talent. Addressing this gap will be crucial for sustaining Kenya's digital growth and competitiveness in the cloud computing industry.

2. Cybersecurity Skills 

According to experts, cyber attacks in Kenya increased by 25%, while ransomware attacks grew by 68%. Nevertheless, the need for cybersecurity professionals exceeds the supply by far, resulting in a skill deficit in security application and surveillance. To meet this deficit, Kenya will require firms with close to 10,000 cybersecurity experts by the end of 2026.

3. AI Skills 

With the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025-2030, Kenya will adapt to AI in various sectors ranging from agriculture, security, health, and education. Yet, as per UNESCO, Kenya faces a shortage of skilled AI experts.

The same report highlights that 30% of employers in AI companies cite the general AI skills gap as a challenge. This shortage of skilled workers risks holding back AI development and curbing innovation, hence the need to invest in AI education and capacity building for the utilization of the full potential of the technology.

4. AgriTech Skills

Kenya’s vibrant tech ecosystem is meeting agriculture through mobile advisory tools, digital marketplaces, and satellite-based crop monitoring. Digital agriculture and AgriTech skills combine farm-business understanding with data collection, basic analytics, and user-centric design for smallholder-friendly apps. Professionals must know how to translate agronomy into simple digital workflows and how to build trust with farmer communities.

Globally, AI and digital tools are reshaping skills needs, with employers expecting nearly half of core skills to change by 2027. For Kenya, these capabilities support productivity gains, better market access, and more climate-resilient farming, while also creating new tech jobs anchored in the country’s strongest real-economy sector.

5. Digital Financial Services Skills

Kenya is a global benchmark for mobile money, and the next wave of growth depends on moving from basic transfers to broader digital financial services. Mobile money product management skills combine customer research, UX for low-bandwidth devices, pricing and revenue models, risk and fraud controls, and partnership management with banks, telcos, and merchants. Professionals must know how to design savings, credit, insurance, and merchant payment products that fit everyday cash flows while remaining compliant and secure.

Across Sub-Saharan Africa, 55% of adults have an account and 33% have a mobile money account, the highest mobile money penetration of any region worldwide.For Kenyan providers, deepening these skills helps defend their innovation lead, support financial inclusion, and grow sustainable fee and interest income from a more sophisticated product mix.

6. Renewable Energy Skills

In Kenya's Vision 2030, the government has ambitious targets for renewable energy, including having 100% clean energy in the national grid by 2030 and 100% clean cooking by 2028. To attain this, the nation invests in large-scale renewable projects like the Olkaria Geothermal Power Plant, Lake Turkana Wind Power Project, and Garissa Solar Power Plant.

But CLG reports point to a deficit of professionals with expertise in the renewable energy industry. This skills gap is a major challenge that can delay the maintenance and development of Kenya's renewable energy infrastructure. 

7. Teaching Skills 

In the last few decades, Kenya's university system has expanded so but the number of professors hasn't kept pace. With fewer than 1,000 professors to serve 68 universities, the lack of skilled staff is a concern.

One of the most important reasons behind this gap is the high rate of growth in higher education institutions, which has led to an increase in the number of students, particularly in public universities where class sizes range from 200 to 300 students. Thus, educational institutions in Kenya are searching for qualified instructors today.

8. Hospitality Skills 

As tourism in Kenya continues to grow in 2025, the hospitality sector is expanding rapidly, with hotels seeking skilled professionals in hotel management and customer service. However, a recent report highlights a shortage of adequately trained personnel, making it challenging for the industry to meet the rising demand for high-quality hospitality services. Addressing this skill gap is crucial to ensuring Kenya remains a top destination for travelers.

How to Improve Your Skills for Kenya’s Job Market

Upskilling can be highly beneficial in gaining essential vocational skills for better career prospects. Here are some government-backed institutions in Kenya you can rely on for skill enhancement:

1. Kenya School of TVET (KSTVET): KSTVET is Kenya's government-funded institution that trains vocational trainers and designs competency-based curricula. It trains learners in technical, curriculum planning, and advanced pedagogic techniques. It is pivotal to the improvement of Kenya's TVET industry via research, creativity, and institution capacity development.

2. National Youth Service (NYS) Training Institutes: The Kenyan government operates NYS training centers nationwide to provide hands-on vocational skills. It trains youth in automotive engineering, welding, plumbing, electrical installation, agribusiness, hospitality, and fashion design. NYS focuses on practical learning to boost employability and entrepreneurship.

3. Rift Valley Technical Training Institute (RVTTI): It is a government-backed vocational institution RVTTI offers courses in mechanical and electrical engineering, ICT, business management, building and civil engineering, and hospitality. The institute integrates technology-driven learning and links students with industry for internships and jobs.

Conclusion

Organizations in Kenya are actively promoting economic growth and technological transformation, generating a high rate of demand for professional employees. To thrive in this dynamic job market, achieving the right expertise is essential. If you seek to upskill your employees through business training programs, you can rely on Edstellar to improve your skills.

With Edstellar's Skill Matrix tool, you can evaluate current skill levels and areas of gaps and monitor improvements with real-time charts, bar graphs, and infographics. Get ahead of Kenya's shifting job market by upskilling and using the best tools.