Earning in pounds, dollars or dirhams is good – but investing it wisely is what changes your future. Here are the 6 smartest places to put your foreign income.
So many Kenyans are working hard abroad – in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, Finland, the Middle East and beyond. But the big question is always the same: how do you turn foreign income into long-term wealth?
The truth is simple. Earning more money is good – but investing it wisely is what actually changes your future. Sending money home month after month is not a plan; owning assets that grow and pay you back is.
In this guide we break down the six best investment options available to Kenyans in the diaspora – what each one is, how it works, and who it suits. No jargon. Just clear, honest information you can act on. For a broader local overview, you may also like our top 5 investment options for Kenyans.
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We recommend this one time and again – and for good reason. A Money Market Fund helps your money grow while staying accessible whenever you need it. So why is it almost always the first investment we suggest?
Imagine an emergency fund that keeps growing but is still there the moment you need it. That is the MMF advantage. Popular options in Kenya include Britam, CIC, Amana and Cytonn – and there are many more. New to this? Start with our beginner's guide on why Money Market Funds are the perfect first investment.
Key point: No single MMF is dramatically better than another. As long as it is regulated by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), any reputable money market fund is a solid place to start.
With Treasury Bills and Bonds, you are essentially lending money to the government and earning interest in return. It is one of the most trusted ways to grow wealth in Kenya.
Diaspora investors love this option because it offers:
Treasury Bonds are especially powerful for anyone thinking about retirement or building a steady passive income stream over time.
When many people abroad think about real estate, they immediately picture buying land, building a house, or putting up rental apartments. There is nothing wrong with that. But there is another, lesser-understood option: the REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust.
A REIT lets you invest in real estate without buying a whole property yourself. Think of it as a collective investment: different investors like you and me pool money through a professionally managed real estate trust. That trust invests in properties such as shopping malls, student accommodation, or commercial centres – and the rental or business income is then shared back to investors.
In other words, you earn rental income without owning or building a property worth millions. You own a share of the real estate directly through the trust.
Why REITs are powerful for the diaspora: Investors abroad often struggle with fake land deals, stalled or unfinished projects, mismanagement by relatives, and simply not having time to supervise property. REITs remove most of those headaches because professionals manage everything for you.
Kenya already has REITs you can explore – including Ilam Fahari I-REIT, Britam, and the Acorn REITs behind the Qwetu and Qejani student housing brands – allowing Kenyans to invest in real estate without sinking millions into a single property.
When you buy a share in a company, you become a part-owner of that business. That ownership can pay you in two ways:
Popular companies that many investors watch include Safaricom, KCB and Equity. The golden rule, though, is diversification – spread your investments across different companies and sectors rather than putting everything into one stock. Not sure how to begin? Follow our step-by-step guide on how to buy shares in Kenya, or explore 5 Kenyan stocks that deliver passive income.
This option is uniquely suited to the diaspora. Living abroad often gives you easier access to international investments that many Kenyans at home cannot reach as readily.
These global assets include:
Many long-term investors follow the S&P 500 – an index that tracks around 500 of the biggest companies in America – through low-cost index funds and ETFs. It is one of the simplest ways to own a slice of the global economy.
Some of the best investments are businesses that grow over time. And being abroad gives you access to global markets and tools to build one from anywhere.
The point of all of these is the same: creating income beyond employment. A job pays you while you work; a business can pay you long after.
| Investment | What It Offers | Best For | Where to Start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Money Market Fund | Low risk, growth + easy access | Emergency fund, beginners | Britam, CIC, Amana, Cytonn |
| Treasury Bills & Bonds | Predictable, stable returns | Retirement, passive income | CBK / DhowCSD |
| Real Estate & REITs | Rental income, no property hassle | Hands-off property investors | Ilam Fahari, Britam, Acorn (Qwetu) |
| NSE Shares | Dividends + capital gains | Long-term growth seekers | Safaricom, KCB, Equity |
| Global Investing | US stocks, ETFs, index funds | Diversifying beyond Kenya | S&P 500 index funds & ETFs |
| Online Business | Income beyond employment | Builders & creators | E-commerce, YouTube, coaching |
Here is the honest answer: there is no single best investment. The right mix depends on your goals, your risk appetite, and how soon you will need the money.
A smart diaspora portfolio usually combines several of these. For example:
The diaspora golden rule: Working abroad can change your life – but only if you turn income into investment. Start small, stay consistent, and think long-term. Consistency beats a large one-off lump sum almost every time.
At Buildyourwealth, we help Kenyans in the diaspora assess their goals and build a personalised, diversified investment strategy – from MMFs and REITs to NSE shares and global ETFs. Distance should never stop you from building wealth back home and abroad.
Working abroad can change your life – but only if you change income into investment.
Each of these six options plays a different role. The best portfolio uses several of them purposefully – the right investment, in the right role, at the right time. Start where you are, build your foundation, and diversify as you grow.
So which investment do you think is best for Kenyans abroad – or which one have you tried yourself? We would love to hear from you.
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Disclaimer: This article is for general financial education purposes only and does not constitute personalised investment advice. All investments carry risk and returns are not guaranteed. Please conduct your own due diligence and consult a licensed financial consultant before making investment decisions. All information is current as of June 2026.
Linda Jerono is a CPA Finalist and financial coach with a Master's degree in Accounting & Finance. She specializes in personal wealth management and financial education for Kenyans. With years of experience helping individuals, couples, and businesses navigate money management, Linda combines practical expertise with a passion for demystifying finance and empowering people to build sustainable wealth.
Build Your Wealth is a financial coaching platform founded by Linda Jerono to help everyday Kenyans master money management, invest wisely, and build lasting legacies. We offer personalized one-on-one coaching, practical financial guides, and educational resources covering budgeting, debt management, investing, retirement planning, and business finance—all tailored to the Kenyan context.
The six best investment options for Kenyans in the diaspora are: Money Market Funds (Britam, CIC, Cytonn, Amana), Treasury Bills and Bonds, Real Estate and REITs (Ilam Fahari, Britam, Acorn/Qwetu), shares on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (Safaricom, KCB, Equity), global investing (US stocks, ETFs, index funds tracking the S&P 500, retirement accounts), and starting an online business. A diversified mix across these is the smartest approach.
A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) lets you invest in real estate without buying a whole property yourself. Investors pool money that professional managers invest in income-generating properties like malls or student accommodation, then distribute the rental income back to investors. It removes the headaches of fake land deals, stalled projects and remote supervision. Kenyan examples include Ilam Fahari I-REIT, Britam, and the Acorn (Qwetu/Qejani) REITs.