Think you are too young to start a business? Think again. These inspiring young entrepreneurs built companies and brands in their 20s that are worth millions. They are all in their twenties, proving that when you do your best with what you have, you are bound to make it big in life.
Read on to be inspired by these young Kenyan millionaires.
Cosmas Ochieng, 26 – Founder Ecofuels
Cosmas Ochieng is largely credited for the success of Eco Fuels Kenya. This is a large enterprise producing organic fertilizers, bio-fuel and health products. He is also the Director of Operations while co-founder Alan Paul is the Managing Director.
In 2012, the company secured heavy funding from Village Capital and Growth Africa, boosting their growth and expansion. The pair was named by Forbes in their 2013 feature 30 Under 30 Innovators and Entrepreneurs.
Mark Kaigwa, 25 – Partner, Afroinnovator
Mark Kaigwa is a highly sought-after IT guru. His most notable contributions have been in the business sector, helping businessmen harness the power of technology to do better business. Afroinnovator has been lauded by the CNN as one of the top blogs in Africa, landing Kaigwa in the Forbes list of 30 Under 30 Innovators and Entrepreneurs in 2013.
Thee Pluto – 24 years
Robert Ndegwa Kamau, aka Thee Pluto, is a Kenyan model, musician, entrepreneur, and YouTuber. Born on August 27, 1999, Thee Pluto is the third child in a family of five. His passion for entertainment began when he started singing at eight. He has become one of Kenya’s most famous YouTubers in the last two years, thanks to his loyalty test content, which has taken over the internet on his YouTube channel, The Pluto Show.
He has also invested in the real estate sector as a businessman, owning Planet Homes Kenya, which deals with Airbnb, and Summer House Real Estate, which purchases and sells land for profit. He is also a Brand ambassador and influencer for various brands.
Heshan Da Silva, 25 – Founder VenCap Kenya
Heshan sold his first company for a whopping Ksh. 122 million. His business focuses on assisting small start-ups to secure funding from investors. He has been listed by Forbes among Africa’s youngest entrepreneurs to watch. It later transpired that he was a fraud.
Also Read: Heshan De Silva: Fraud Once Referred to as Kenya’s Youngest Billionaire
Eric Muthomi, 26 – Founder Stawi Foods and Fruits
After his undergraduate studies at the United States International University (USIU), Muthomi capitalized on the consumer demand for healthier cheaper foods. His business success has enabled his company to bag numerous recognitions including the Enablis Chase Bank ILO Business Plan Competition (2011), Nature Challenge (2011) and Hamsini Awards (2013).
Joel Mwale, 20 –Founder SkyDrop Enterprises
Mwale made about Ksh. 42.5 million when he was only 19 from the sale of his firm to an Israeli company. Young Mwale through SkyDrop Enterprises has assisted many people in his home town Kitale gain access to clean, affordable drinking water. The entrepreneur is now internationally recognized and has won many accolades including the Anzisha Prize for Youth Leadership in 2011 and Zeitgeist Young Minds Award the following year in 2012.
Following the success of SkyDrop, Mwale was named a finalist in the prestigious Anzisha Prize, where he received Ksh. 3.5 million ($30,000) and college admission to the prestigious African Leadership Academy in South Africa. In 2013, he sold 60% stake of his company in SkyDrop to Israeli investors for Ksh. 59 million ($500,000).
Mungai Eve – 22 year old YouTuber
Evelyn Wanjiku Mungai, also known as Mungai Eve is a Kenyan YouTuber, influencer, and content creator. Her YouTube channel Mungai Eve has become one of the most-watched in Kenya, with over 530,000 subscribers and 88 million views as of June 2022. She has previously been quoted saying that she can earn up to Ksh. 1.5 million from YouTube on a good month and Ksh. 700,000 on a bad month, making her one of the youngest Kenyan millionaires.
The 22-year-old rose to fame on YouTube in 2020 after dropping out of school. She has established her brand and is currently the official brand ambassador for Odibets, a betting company in Kenya.
Ali Abdi, 22 – CEO Thrift Trendy
Ali Abdi, also known as Nairobi West Niccur, is a fashion designer, social media influencer, and entrepreneur. He is the CEO of Thrift Trendy, a fashion store specializing in streetwear, fashion, accessories, and sneakers.
He opened his first shop after finishing secondary school and began selling thrifted clothing. He gradually developed the Thrift Trendy brand over time, which has made his brand famous in Kenya. He ships and sells unique fashion items and has dressed top Kenyan celebrities, including former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
States, 25 – Content Creator
States is a Kenyan content creator, YouTuber, and entrepreneur. He rose to prominence after creating viral Tiktok videos with his girlfriend. He has since established an online presence, with over 162,000 TikTok followers, 50,000 YouTube subscribers, and over 116,000 Instagram followers. He is also the owner and CEO of States Liquor, a company that sells wines and spirits in all of the towns along Thika Road. He also owns a fashion shop, a clothing line, and a car yard under the brand States. In an interview, he revealed that he made his first million at the age of 17 through freelance writing.
Mike Muthiga, 26 – Founder Fatboy Animations
If you are familiar with Faiba adverts then you know what Muthiga’s genius can amount to. He is also behind Safaricom’s Juma (Mazgwembe) commercials. Mike holds a degree in Civil Engineering but has done a marvelous job in animation, something he was able to accomplish when at 17 years of age. Tinga Tinga Tales is also part of his resume. The Faiba advert alone reportedly earned him Ksh. 3.5 million.
Lorna Rutto, 28 – Founder, EcoPost
Lorna founded EcoPost in 2009, having quit her job at a local bank. Her company recycles waste plastics and converts them into durable fencing posts among other commodities. She has managed to generate 300 jobs and in the process earned Ksh. 10.43 million. She has also won several other awards since then.
Antony Mwaura, 24 – Dreamlt Computing Technology
Mwaura holds various skills in IT and has mastered the art of turning ideas into reality. In 2010, he founded Dreamlt Computing Technology, an IT company. He has also been working for Metrocomia East Africa as a Web programmer/Developer since 2011. He holds a Higher Diploma in IT and has won awards for his innovations such as the Outstanding Developer of the Year Award, 2012.
Natalie Tewa, 29 – Content Creator
Natalie Tewa is a Kenyan brand influencer, YouTuber, and content creator. She is popularly known for her travel and lifestyle vlogs. Since 2015, Tewa has also been creating and posting fitness and beauty videos on her YouTube channel. Her brand continues to grow, making her one of the influential young people in the country right now. In a blog posted on her YouTube Channel, Tewa shared her achievements, noting that she had netted her first million at 26 years old. She is an Architectural Engineer by profession.
