Kenya is one of the fastest-growing ecommerce markets in East Africa. With over 30 million internet users, widespread mobile money adoption through M-Pesa, and a young, tech-savvy population, the opportunity to sell online has never been greater. Whether you want to sell fashion, electronics, groceries, or digital products, this guide covers everything you need to launch your online store in Kenya in 2026.
1. Business Registration
Before launching your online store, you need to register your business in Kenya. Here is what you need:
- Business Name Registration — Register with the Registrar of Companies under the Business Registration Act. Costs approximately KES 1,000-5,000.
- KRA PIN Registration — Register for a Kenya Revenue Authority PIN for tax compliance and VAT 16% obligations.
- County Business Permit — Obtain a Single Business Permit from your county government.
- VAT Registration — If your annual turnover exceeds KES 5 million, you must register for VAT at 16%.
2. Payment Setup — Flutterwave + M-Pesa
Payment is the most critical part of your online store. In Kenya, M-Pesa dominates mobile payments, and Flutterwave is the leading payment gateway that supports M-Pesa alongside cards and bank transfers.
Flutterwave Supports
- M-Pesa (via Flutterwave)
- Airtel Money
- Credit/Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard)
- Bank Transfer
- Mobile Money
Also Accept
- Cash on Delivery (COD)
- In-App Wallet Credits
- Gift Cards
- Installment Plans
FlexiCommerce comes with Flutterwave pre-integrated. You just need a Flutterwave merchant account and your API keys.
3. Choosing the Right Platform
Your ecommerce platform is the foundation of your online business. Here is a quick comparison of your options:
| Platform | Cost | Mobile Apps | M-Pesa |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlexiCommerce | From KES 3,999/month + hosting | 3 Apps included | Built-in |
| Shopify | ~KES 25,000/month | None | Plugin needed |
| WooCommerce | KES 500K-2M+ dev | None | Plugin needed |
4. Why Your Store Needs a Mobile App
Over 85% of Kenyan internet users access the web through mobile devices. A dedicated mobile app gives you:
FlexiCommerce includes 3 native Flutter mobile apps (Customer, Seller, Delivery) in the Business plan.
5. Marketing for the Kenyan Market
Getting your store live is step one. Driving traffic and sales requires a solid marketing strategy tailored for Kenya:
Social Media Marketing
Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter/X are huge in Kenya. Use these platforms to showcase products, run ads, and engage with customers.
WhatsApp Commerce
WhatsApp is the most-used messaging app in Kenya. Share product links, send order updates, and provide customer support directly through WhatsApp.
SEO & Google My Business
Optimize your store for local SEO keywords like "buy [product] online Kenya" and "best [product] Nairobi". Claim your Google My Business listing.
Push Notifications & Email
Use push notifications for flash sales, abandoned cart reminders, and price drop alerts. FlexiCommerce has all of these built-in.
6. Costs to Start an Online Store in Kenya
FlexiCommerce Starter Plan
Ready to Launch Your Online Store?
FlexiCommerce gives you everything you need — website, mobile apps, admin panel, Flutterwave payments, and 500+ features. From KES 3,999/month + hosting.