Nairobi, Kenya

Kenya is a republic in East Africa with a population of more than 22 million. Nairobi, the capital city, is relatively modern and is attracting increasing numbers of contractors wanting to experience the charm of Africa.

Advantages Outside Nairobi, landscapes are stunning and unlike anywhere else in the world. The people speak Swahili and, language barriers aside, are extremely friendly.

Disadvantages Kenya has tribal customs and traditions which may seem extraordinary to an outsider. The country has political problems and a reputation for having corrupt government officials. After the re-election of its dictator last January, that is unlikely to change.

Business There is a huge variety of IT work to be found in Kenya. The African Regional Centre for Computing has succeeded in increasing development and usage of computing and communication technologies in Kenya. It is a good starting point for finding work in the country. Its Web site can be found at http://www.arcc.or.ke/. The main area of opportunity is training. The country is desperate to develop its relatively primitive IT structure and is bringing in people with experience in almost any area of IT for training both top-level managers and children. The number of telephone lines in the country is rapidly increasing and telecommunications is a growing industry. The Kenyan government is also crying out for network services and design experts to plan new systems for the countries hospitals and schools.

Links
African Regional Centre for Computing (starting point for jobs)
Nairobi information