Kenya tallest towers Nairobi

Kenya’s tallest buildings are reshaping the skyline of Nairobi as foreign investment, banking expansion and mixed-use developments accelerate vertical growth. Over the past two decades, the capital has evolved into one of East Africa’s fastest-rising commercial hubs, led by landmarks such as Britam Tower and the GTC Office Tower.

Upper Hill and Westlands have emerged as financial and diplomatic nerve centers, attracting multinational corporations, banks, insurers, and real estate investors. Landmark developments such as the GTC Office Tower reflect Kenya’s rising appeal to foreign direct investment, particularly from Asia and Europe.

These towers are more than concrete and steel. They house tax authorities, parliament offices, blue-chip banks, and high-net-worth residences.

Several integrate sustainable architecture, signaling Nairobi’s shift toward environmentally conscious urban planning.

While stalled mega-projects like Pinnacle Tower highlight funding and regulatory constraints, ongoing developments, including the proposed NSSF Twin Towers, suggest Kenya’s appetite for vertical expansion remains strong.

Shore Africa chronicled the ten tallest high-rise towers shaping Kenya’s economic and architectural narrative.

1. Britam Tower
Height: 200.1 meters
Completed in 2017 in Upper Hill, Britam Tower stands as Kenya’s tallest building. Its prism-inspired glass façade and energy-efficient systems symbolize modern Nairobi. The tower serves as headquarters of Britam Holdings and houses multinational tenants, reinforcing Upper Hill’s dominance as a financial district.

2. GTC Office Tower
Height: 184 meters
Part of the Global Trade Centre complex in Westlands, this 42-floor skyscraper, completed in 2021, represents Kenya’s growing ties with international investors. It anchors a mixed-use development that includes residences, retail, and hospitality, elevating Westlands into a premier business hub.

3. UAP Old Mutual Tower
Height: 163 meters
Once Kenya’s tallest building, this 33-floor Upper Hill landmark was completed in 2016. It hosts leading financial institutions and multinational corporations, marking a significant milestone in Nairobi’s commercial real estate expansion.

4. 88 Nairobi Condominium Tower
Height: 150 meters
This luxury residential skyscraper in Upper Hill, currently under development, is poised to become Africa’s tallest residential tower upon completion. It reflects rising demand for high-end urban living among Kenya’s affluent class.

5. Times Tower
Height: 140 meters
Completed in 2000 in Nairobi’s CBD, Times Tower houses the Kenya Revenue Authority. For years, it ranked among the tallest in East Africa and remains a symbol of state authority and fiscal governance.

6. Prism Tower
Height: 133 meters
Finished in 2018, Prism Tower stands out for its eco-conscious design, incorporating rainwater harvesting and energy-efficient systems. Located in Upper Hill, it reflects Nairobi’s shift toward sustainable commercial architecture.

7. Bunge Tower
Height: 125 meters
Completed in 2022 within the CBD, Bunge Tower provides office space for Members of Parliament. It enhances government infrastructure while modernizing the capital’s administrative landscape.

8. Teleposta Towers
Height: 120 meters
Completed in 1999, this 27-floor CBD skyscraper has long served as a commercial hub. Though no longer among the newest towers, it remains a defining feature of Nairobi’s older skyline.

9. KCB Plaza
Height: 109 meters
Headquarters of Kenya Commercial Bank in Upper Hill, this 23-floor tower, completed in 2015, underscores the banking sector’s role in shaping Nairobi’s vertical expansion.

10. Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC)
Height: 105.2 meters
Completed in 1974, KICC remains one of Nairobi’s most iconic structures. Its cylindrical design and rooftop helipad have made it a historic symbol of Kenya’s conference and tourism industry.