Introduction
Affiliate marketing in Kenya is one of the fastest-growing online income streams. Whether you want to earn side income or build a full-time online business, this guide will show you exactly how to start affiliate marketing in Kenya in the right way, without falling for scams or MLM traps.
You’ll learn what affiliate marketing is, how it differs from MLM, the best affiliate programs in Kenya currently and how to set up your platform, and how to start earning commissions.
What is Affiliate Marketing? (And Why It’s NOT MLM)
Affiliate marketing is a performance-based marketing model where you promote products or services and earn commissions on sales made through your unique affiliate links.
Unlike MLM schemes:
- No recruitment required
- No upfront fees or inventory
- Earnings depend solely on your referrals’ purchases or actions
Why Affiliate Marketing is a Great Opportunity in Kenya
- Free to start with zero capital
- Local programs pay via M-Pesa, bank transfer, or PayPal
- Popular brands like Jumia, Safaricom, and Naivas offer affiliate programs
- Growing internet and smartphone penetration in Kenya
Choosing a Profitable Niche in Kenya
- Focus on niches with high demand and affiliate offers, such as:
- Mobile phones and gadgets
- Personal finance and loans
- Fashion and beauty
- Digital services (web hosting, internet bundles)
Tip: Narrow your niche for better targeting (e.g., “affordable smartphones for students”).
Best Affiliate Programs in Kenya (2025)
| Program | Type | Commission/Reward |
| Jumia Affiliate | E-commerce | Up to 13% per sale |
| Safaricom Affiliate | Telecom | Airtime or data bundles |
| Naivas Affiliate | Retail | Varies |
| Truehost Affiliate | Web hosting | Up to 25% recurring commission |
| HostPinnacle | Web hosting | Ksh 500 – Ksh 5,000 per sale |
| Travelstart | Travel booking | Ksh 400 – Ksh 1,200 per booking |
| Google AdSense | PPC Ads | Per ad click |
| Ezoic | PPC Ads | Per ad click |
How to Start Affiliate Marketing in Kenya: Step-by-Step
Choose Your Niche: Pick a Profitable and Interesting Topic
Your niche is the specific area or topic you will focus on when promoting affiliate products. Choosing the right niche is critical because it affects your ability to attract and engage an audience.
- Profitability: Look for niches with products or services that have affiliate programs offering good commissions. For example, e-commerce (Jumia, Kilimall), travel (Travelstart, KLM Kenya), web hosting (HostPinnacle, Truehost), and digital services (Sage Kenya) are popular and lucrative niches in Kenya.
- Interest and Expertise: Pick a niche you understand or are passionate about. This makes it easier to create authentic, valuable content that resonates with your audience.
- Audience Demand: Research what Kenyans are searching for online. For instance, mobile phones, affordable internet bundles, online education, and personal finance are high-demand topics.
- Competition: Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest to check keyword difficulty and search volume for your niche keywords. A simple google search can also show you what to work with.
Select Affiliate Programs: Join Programs That Fit Your Niche
Once you have your niche, find affiliate programs that offer relevant products or services.
Examples of Local Kenyan Affiliate Programs
- Jumia Affiliate Program offers up to 13% commission on a wide range of products.
- Travelstart pays Ksh 400-1200 per booking, great for travel bloggers.
- HostPinnacle offers flat Ksh 5000 commissions on web hosting referrals.
- Sage Kenya provides 7% commission on cloud business software.
Examples of International Affiliate Programs
Amazon Associates, ShareASale, and PeerFly are options but may have payment or access challenges for Kenyans. Ensure you confirm the terms and payment options before getting involved in one.
Consider Program Features
Look at commission rates, cookie duration (how long after clicking your link you get credit for a sale), payout thresholds, and payment methods (M-Pesa, bank transfer, PayPal).
Sign Up Process
Most programs require you to register online, provide payment details, and agree to their terms.
Create Your Platform: Start a Blog, YouTube Channel, or Social Media Page
You need a platform to share your affiliate links and content.
Blog/Website
Use platforms like WordPress, Blogger, Systeme.io or Wix to create a blog focused on your niche.
Blogs allow long-form content, SEO optimization, and ad monetization.
Kenyan bloggers often combine affiliate marketing with content on tech, fashion, or finance.
YouTube Channel
Create video reviews, tutorials, or unboxings.
Videos are highly engaging and can be monetized with affiliate links in descriptions.
Social Media
Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and WhatsApp are popular in Kenya.
Use them to share short content, product recommendations, and affiliate links.
WhatsApp Groups
Many Kenyan affiliates promote within WhatsApp groups, but ensure you follow group rules and avoid spamming.
Produce Quality Content: Write Reviews, Tutorials, and Guides with Affiliate Links
Content is king in affiliate marketing. Your goal is to educate, inform, and persuade your audience.
Product Reviews
Honest, detailed reviews help build trust. For example, review popular smartphones sold on Jumia or Kilimall.
How-to Guides and Tutorials
Teach your audience how to use a product or service, e.g., “How to set up Safaricom Home Fibre” or “How to book cheap flights with Travelstart.”
Comparison Articles
Compare similar products or services, highlighting pros and cons.
Use Affiliate Links Naturally
Embed affiliate links contextually within your content, so they feel helpful, not pushy.
Visuals
Include images, screenshots, or videos to enhance engagement.
Drive Traffic: Use SEO, Social Media, and Online Communities
Traffic is the lifeblood of affiliate marketing. More visitors mean more chances of earning commissions.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Optimize your content for keywords relating to the affiliate program that you are building or promoting.
Use keyword-rich titles, headings, meta descriptions, and alt text for images.
Build backlinks by guest posting or collaborating with Kenyan bloggers.
Social Media Marketing
Share your posts or videos on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
Engage with Kenyan groups and pages related to your niche.
Online Communities
Participate in forums like Kenyan Quora, Reddit Kenya, or niche-specific Facebook groups.
Provide value before sharing affiliate links to avoid being flagged as spam.
Email Marketing
Build an email list to nurture your audience and promote affiliate offers directly.
Track and Optimize: Monitor Your Clicks and Earnings, Then Improve Your Strategy
Affiliate marketing requires ongoing analysis and improvement.
Use Affiliate Dashboards
Most programs provide real-time reports on clicks, conversions, and commissions.
Google Analytics and Search Console
Track your website traffic sources, user behavior, and conversion paths.
Test and Optimize
Experiment with different types of content, link placements, and promotional channels.
Identify which products or programs perform best.
Improve underperforming content by updating or rewriting.
Stay Updated
Affiliate programs and market trends change. Keep learning and adapting.
Withdraw Earnings: Use M-Pesa, Bank Transfers, or PayPal
Getting paid is the final step in your affiliate marketing journey.
Payment Methods in Kenya
Many Kenyan affiliate programs pay via M-Pesa, the most popular mobile money service.
Bank transfers are common for larger payments.
PayPal is available for international programs but may have withdrawal limitations for Kenyans.
Payment Thresholds: Check the minimum payout amounts (e.g., Ksh 500 or Ksh 3500) and payment schedules (monthly, net 30).
There exist other payment platforms including Flutterwave and DPO. Ensure you learn about their compliance requirements.
Tax Compliance
Keep records of your affiliate income for tax purposes and comply with Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) regulations.
By following these expanded steps, you’ll be well-equipped to start and grow a successful affiliate marketing business in Kenya.
Common Affiliate Marketing Myths in Kenya (And the Truth)
- Myth: “Affiliate marketing is an MLM scam.”
Truth: Affiliate marketing is legit and based on sales, not recruitment. - Myth: “You need to invest money upfront.”
Truth: Many programs are free to join; you can start with zero capital