Quick Answer
If you're in a hurry: Andela leads for enterprise projects, Safaricom Alpha for telco-related work, and NeuraCreations for SMEs wanting affordable, personalized service. But keep reading — the "best" company depends entirely on YOUR specific needs.
Let me be honest with you from the start.
I run a software development company in Kenya. So yes, I have skin in this game. But that's exactly why I can give you the real picture — not the polished marketing version you'll find elsewhere.
I've worked with, competed against, and partnered with most companies on this list. I know their strengths. I know their weaknesses. And I'm going to share all of it.
How We Ranked These Companies
We didn't just Google "software companies Kenya" and copy the first page. Here's our actual methodology:
- Portfolio Analysis — We reviewed actual projects, not just claims
- Client Interviews — Spoke with 15+ businesses who've worked with these companies
- Pricing Research — Got quotes from each company for similar projects
- Developer Quality — Assessed team experience and tech stack expertise
- Support & Maintenance — Evaluated post-launch support quality
- Industry Reputation — Checked reviews on Google, Clutch, and LinkedIn
The Complete Rankings
Andela Kenya
Enterprise-Grade Development
Best For: Large enterprises needing world-class engineering talent
Pricing: Premium (KSh 2M+ for significant projects)
Specialties: Enterprise software, fintech, healthcare tech
Why #1: Andela has trained and deployed thousands of developers across Africa. Their vetting process is legendary — only 0.7% of applicants make it through. If you need enterprise-grade code and have the budget, they're the gold standard.
Safaricom Alpha
Telco Innovation Hub
Best For: Projects requiring M-Pesa integration or telco APIs
Pricing: Premium (varies by project scope)
Specialties: Mobile money, IoT, digital services
Why #2: If your project involves M-Pesa at its core, nobody understands the ecosystem better. Safaricom's internal development arm has built products used by millions. The challenge? Getting their attention if you're not a big fish.
NeuraCreations
Simple Apps That Actually Work
Best For: SMEs and startups wanting affordable, personalized service
Pricing: Mid-range (KSh 150K - 2M depending on project)
Specialties: Mobile apps, web apps, AI integration, M-Pesa
Why #3: Yes, this is our company. Here's what makes us different: we believe if your grandma can't use it, we haven't done our job. We focus on simplicity, clear communication, and actually answering our phones. Our clients include businesses across East Africa who needed software that just works — without the corporate overhead.
- Need a reliable tech partner, not a faceless vendor
- Want clear pricing with no hidden costs
- Value simplicity over complexity
- Need post-launch support from people who care
Cellulant
Pan-African Fintech Pioneer
Best For: Payment solutions and fintech infrastructure
Pricing: Premium (enterprise-focused)
Specialties: Payment gateways, banking integrations, mobile money
Why #4: Cellulant powers payments for major banks and telcos across 35 African countries. If you're building anything payment-related at scale, they have the infrastructure. Not ideal for smaller projects though.
Africa's Talking
API-First Communication Platform
Best For: Developers needing SMS, voice, and USSD APIs
Pricing: Usage-based (pay-per-API-call)
Specialties: Communication APIs, developer tools, IoT
Why #5: Not a traditional dev shop, but essential for any Kenyan developer. Their APIs power SMS notifications, USSD menus, and airtime purchases for countless apps. Developer-friendly documentation and fair pricing.
Twiga Foods Tech
Supply Chain Innovation
Best For: Logistics and supply chain technology
Pricing: Not publicly available
Specialties: Logistics software, inventory management, route optimization
Why #6: Twiga disrupted Kenya's agricultural supply chain with technology. Their tech team has deep expertise in logistics challenges specific to East Africa — unreliable roads, cash-based vendors, last-mile delivery.
iPay Africa
Payment Gateway Specialists
Best For: E-commerce payment integration
Pricing: Transaction-based + setup fees
Specialties: Payment gateways, M-Pesa integration, card payments
Why #7: If you're building an online store in Kenya, iPay is often the first choice for payment integration. Their API is straightforward, and they handle the complexity of local payment methods.
Craft Silicon
Banking Software Veterans
Best For: Banks and financial institutions
Pricing: Enterprise (license + implementation)
Specialties: Core banking, mobile banking, agency banking
Why #8: Craft Silicon's banking software powers financial institutions across Africa and Asia. If you're a bank or SACCO needing proven, compliant software, they're a safe choice.
Swifta Systems
Enterprise Software & ERP
Best For: ERP implementations and enterprise integrations
Pricing: Project-based (typically KSh 500K+)
Specialties: ERP, CRM, business automation
Why #9: Swifta has been around for years, implementing enterprise systems for Kenyan corporations. Reliable for complex integrations, though can be slow-moving for smaller projects.
Seven Seas Technologies
IT Infrastructure & Development
Best For: Companies needing both infrastructure and development
Pricing: Varies widely by project
Specialties: IT infrastructure, networking, custom software
Why #10: Seven Seas offers a full IT package — from servers to software. Good for businesses wanting a single vendor for everything tech-related, though software development isn't their primary focus.
Quick Comparison Table
| Company | Best For | Price Range | SME Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andela | Enterprise | KSh 2M+ | No |
| Safaricom Alpha | M-Pesa/Telco | Premium | No |
| NeuraCreations | SMEs/Startups | KSh 150K-2M | Yes |
| Cellulant | Fintech | Premium | No |
| Africa's Talking | APIs/Devs | Pay-per-use | Yes |
How to Choose the Right Company for YOUR Project
Here's my honest advice after 5+ years in this industry:
If you're a startup or SME:
- Skip the big names — they'll either ignore you or charge enterprise rates
- Look for companies that specialize in your project size
- Ask for references from similar businesses
- Make sure you can actually reach the developers, not just salespeople
If you're an enterprise:
- Andela and Safaricom Alpha are safe bets for scale
- Ensure they have experience in your specific industry
- Plan for longer timelines and more formal processes
Red flags to watch for:
- Won't give you a ballpark price before detailed requirements
- No portfolio or case studies to show
- Promises to deliver complex projects in unrealistic timeframes
- No clear post-launch support policy
- Communication only through salespeople, never developers
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bottom Line
Kenya's software development industry has matured significantly. You have real options now — from global-standard enterprises to nimble local shops.
The key is matching the company to your actual needs. Don't hire enterprise developers for a simple website. Don't expect a solo freelancer to build a banking system.
If you're still unsure where to start, I'm happy to chat — even if you end up choosing someone else. Sometimes you just need an honest conversation to figure out what you actually need.
Need Help With Your Project?
We'd love to hear about what you're building. Get a free consultation — no pressure, just honest advice.
Let's Talk