A narrow ICT focus (software/AI entry-level) and limited mid-senior roles are limiting Kenyan IT professionals from becoming more competitive globally, an industry survey indicates.
This is in addition to uneven training quality, skills gaps and cost competitiveness concerns despite Kenya’s huge potential mainly pegged on its young, tech-savvy, english-speaking workforce; growing Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Information Technology–Enabled Services (ITES) ecosystem.
The country is also well placed in terms of time-zone alignment and has supportive government and private sector initiatives.
Commissioned by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation’s Global Partnership Hub in Nairobi and executed by the Trends and Insights from Africa (TIFA) Research Limited, the ‘IT Services Cost Structures in Kenya’ report shows that Kenya’s IT talent pool is locally recruited most at entry levels where demand is high but pay lean.
It calls on Kenya to broaden IT training and focus beyond the entry-level roles to reap more from the blooming global demand for IT professionals.
They are concentrated in programming and software development and data & AI, while European countries have a fairly diversified structure spanning DevOps, IT support, project and product management, cybersecurity, with strong demand across all levels.
Germany is a premium IT market, the survey which covered 12 markets shows, offering the highest pay across nearly all ICT categories, particularly advanced roles such as project management, DevOps, and UI/UX design.
Kenya consistently pays more than India, positioning itself as a mid-cost option—less attractive to firms seeking the cheapest labour but competitive for those prioritising quality and cultural alignment.
India remains the lowest-cost market, though its lower salary base may limit perceptions of senior talent depth.
Overall, the three markets reflect a clear hierarchy: Germany as high–cost, Kenya as mid-cost with quality potential and India as the low-cost hub.
“Kenya’s ICT workforce must upskill beyond basic and intermediary skills, specialise in high-demand roles, and position itself as a mid-cost, high-quality outsourcing hub—striking the right balance between India’s low-cost advantage and Germany’s premium salary market,” TIFA Research CEO Maggie Ireri said.
Germany’s advanced market reflects its higher cost base, while India remains attractive for low-cost outsourcing despite quality and cultural gaps.
Kenya’s blend of affordability, skills and compatibility makes it a strategic outsourcing partner for German firms seeking cost savings without compromising service quality, the survey noted.
The study recommends that Kenya optimizes on its mid-cost competitiveness in race for available IT jobs, use Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies as oversight, quality and salary gatekeepers, and to equip her workers with practical and verifiable, in-demand technical skills for both global and local job market needs.
Most IT jobs advertised in Europe, including Germany, are at entry level, reflecting structured pathways for graduates and trainees.
“Kenya shows fewer entry-level postings (42%), creating an opportunity for its young ICT workforce to meet Germany’s demand if aligned with certifications, language, and formal experience,” the report from the study reads.
It also advices Kenyan software engineer to practically deepen specialisation to meet global hiring standards.
For instance to compete in Germany’s high-tech ecosystem, they are advised to go deep–specialise rather than generalize, get certifications that are globally recognised and industry-aligned credentials.
They must also show proof including public projects, documentation, and GitHub trail, advanced study or research collaboration and integrate culturally–language, standards and compliance mindset.
Formalising Kenya’s hands-on expertise into recognised specializations and compliance credentials, deepening specialization (AI, ML,Cloud Architecture) and strengthening documentation and portfolio evidence, remain key according to the survey.
by MARTIN MWITA
