Why 2026 is the best time to sell online in Kenya
Kenya’s e-commerce market is projected to reach KES 534 billion by end of 2026, according to the Communications Authority of Kenya Q3 2025 report. Mobile money penetration now exceeds 96% of the adult population, meaning your customers already have the payment tool in their pocket.
At Shopeak, we’ve watched over 4,000 merchants launch stores in the past 12 months. The ones who move fastest share a simple playbook — here it is, step by step.
Step 1: Choose a profitable niche
A niche isn’t a limitation — it’s a focus. The most successful Shopeak merchants pick one category they can dominate before expanding.
- Fashion & accessories — still the largest category on Kenyan e-commerce (32% of GMV).
- Beauty & skincare — high repeat purchase rate; average reorder in 28 days.
- Electronics accessories — low return rate, high margin phone cases and chargers.
- Fresh & specialty food — growing 60% YoY for last-mile delivery in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu.
Step 2: Register your business
You can sell informally on day one, but registration unlocks M-Pesa business till numbers, supplier credit, and customer trust.
- 1
Reserve a business name on eCitizen
Go to ecitizen.go.ke → Business Registration Service → Name Search. Fee: KES 150. Turnaround: 1–3 days.
- 2
Register as sole proprietor or company
Sole prop costs KES 950. A private limited company costs KES 10,650 but gives you liability protection.
- 3
Get a KRA PIN
Automatic if you register via eCitizen. You need this for VAT once you hit KES 5M annual turnover.
- 4
Apply for M-Pesa paybill or buy goods
Safaricom requires a business registration certificate, KRA PIN, and bank letter. Processing takes 3–5 business days.
Step 3: Set up your store on Shopeak
Sign up takes 3 minutes. Upload your first product, connect M-Pesa through our Daraja integration wizard, and share your store link on WhatsApp.
Step 4: Source your first products
| Model | Upfront cost | Margin | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Own inventory | KES 10K–100K+ | 40–70% | Fashion, food, crafts |
| Dropship (local) | KES 0 | 15–25% | Electronics, home goods |
| Print-on-demand | KES 0 | 20–35% | Custom apparel, gifts |
Step 5: Make your first sale
Your first customer will almost certainly come from people who already know you.
- Share your store link in your WhatsApp status (it reaches 80% of your contacts within 24 hours).
- Post a “store is live” Reel showing 3 products with prices.
- Message 10 people individually who you think would buy.
Most Shopeak merchants make their first sale within 48 hours using just these three actions.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a laptop to run a Shopeak store?
No. The Shopeak dashboard is fully mobile-responsive. Over 70% of our merchants manage orders entirely from their phone.
How much does Shopeak cost?
Shopeak is free to start. We charge a small transaction fee (3.5%) only when you make a sale.
Can I sell both retail and wholesale?
Yes. Shopeak supports volume pricing tiers so B2B and B2C customers see different prices on the same storefront.
What about delivery?
Shopeak integrates with local delivery partners (Sendy, Fargo, Glovo) or you can set up your own delivery zones.
