Shopify agency for brands selling in Kenya
Mobile-first Shopify stores for Kenyan brands, with M-Pesa at checkout, dependable delivery options and marketing that reaches customers in Kenya and the diaspora.
Shopify experts for Kenya brands
Kenya’s online market is built around mobile money. M-Pesa is part of daily life, most shoppers browse and buy on mobile data, and WhatsApp and Instagram are where many brands first find customers. Jumia and Kilimall are well known, but a growing number of Kenyan fashion, beauty, food and craft brands are building their own stores, and many also sell to Kenyans and fans of East African design in the UK, US and Gulf.
BOOST STAR Experts builds and grows Shopify stores for Kenyan brands. We connect M-Pesa and card payments through gateways that operate in Kenya, set up delivery zones for Nairobi, Mombasa and upcountry towns and keep pages light for mobile networks. Then we work on SEO, Meta and TikTok campaigns and WhatsApp-based customer journeys that suit how Kenyans prefer to shop.
Selling online in Kenya: what your store needs
M-Pesa first, cards second
M-Pesa through Lipa na M-Pesa till or paybill numbers is the payment most Kenyan shoppers expect, with Airtel Money as a second option. Cards matter for diaspora and international buyers. Shopify Payments is not offered in Kenya, so we use gateways that operate locally, such as Pesapal, Flutterwave or Paystack, plus PayPal for overseas customers.
16% VAT, eTIMS and data protection
Kenya’s standard VAT rate is 16%, and the Kenya Revenue Authority requires invoices to be issued through its eTIMS system. The Data Protection Act 2019 applies to customer data, and many businesses that collect it must register with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner. Clear refund and delivery policies also help with trust.
Couriers, riders and pickup points
In Nairobi, same-day delivery by motorbike riders is common, while upcountry orders travel by courier companies such as G4S, Fargo Courier and Wells Fargo or by matatu-linked parcel services. Pickup-point networks such as Pick Up Mtaani let shoppers collect from a nearby agent. We set delivery fees by zone so customers know the cost upfront.
Mobile, WhatsApp and trust
Most visits come from mobile phones on prepaid data, so pages must load quickly and use little data. Shoppers often message a brand on WhatsApp to confirm stock and delivery before paying. English works for most stores, with Swahili in marketing to feel local. Real customer photos and reviews help overcome caution about paying for goods in advance.
Payments, delivery and compliance in Kenya
- M-Pesa (Lipa na M-Pesa)
- Airtel Money
- Visa & Mastercard
- Pesapal
- Flutterwave
- Paystack
- PayPal (international buyers)
- Motorbike rider delivery (Nairobi)
- G4S Courier
- Fargo Courier
- Wells Fargo Courier
- Pick Up Mtaani pickup points
- DHL Express (international)
- 16% VAT & KRA eTIMS invoicing
- Data Protection Act 2019 (ODPC registration)
- Consumer Protection Act refund rules
- KEBS standards for some products
Shopify agency services across Kenya
Working together
Nairobi runs 2.5 hours behind India year-round, which leaves a long shared stretch of the working day. We can hold calls in your morning or early afternoon and usually turn small requests around the same day.
Time zone: EAT (UTC+3, no daylight saving). Currency: KES (KSh). Languages: English, Swahili.
How we work
Discovery call
We learn your goals, catalogue, tech stack and market, then agree what success looks like.
Audit & roadmap
A store, SEO and competitor audit turns into a prioritised roadmap with a timeline and fixed quote.
Design & build
UX, design and development in sprints, with a private preview store you review at every step.
Launch
QA across devices, redirects, tracking and a planned go-live with no downtime.
Grow
SEO, CRO and paid campaigns compound results month after month, with clear reporting.
Ongoing support
A dedicated team for fixes, new features and seasonal campaigns when you need them.
Frequently asked questions
Can Shopify accept M-Pesa?
Yes, through a gateway that supports it. Pesapal, Flutterwave and Paystack all offer M-Pesa for Kenyan merchants, and some apps add an STK push prompt so the customer simply confirms the payment on their phone. We compare fees and settlement times with you, set it up and test real transactions before launch.
Is Shopify Payments available in Kenya?
No. Kenyan stores use third-party gateways instead, which is normal and works well. A typical set-up combines M-Pesa and cards through a Kenyan gateway with PayPal for international customers, so both local and diaspora buyers can pay in the way they trust.
How do we handle delivery outside Nairobi?
We set up shipping zones and rates for Nairobi, its satellite towns and upcountry regions, and connect couriers or pickup-point networks that suit your products. Customers see the delivery fee and expected time at checkout, and order updates can be sent by SMS or WhatsApp.
Can we sell to Kenyans living abroad?
Yes. Many Kenyan brands sell to the diaspora in the UK, US and Gulf. We add international shipping through DHL or similar, show prices in foreign currencies with Shopify Markets and set up card and PayPal payments, so overseas customers can order without needing M-Pesa.
How does your team work with Kenyan businesses?
With only 2.5 hours between Nairobi and India, our working days overlap well. We schedule calls in your morning or early afternoon, keep tasks on a shared board and send written updates. We work remotely and have no office in Kenya.