KNCCI Mombasa Chairman Abud Jamal and NextRail Africa Limited Head of Corporate Affairs Hanan El Kathiri display the signed Memorandum of Understanding for the Anwani Yangu Mombasa Business Mapping and Digital Discoverability Campaign in Mombasa on Saturday.
Finding a business in Mombasa may soon be as simple as conducting an online search following a new digital mapping initiative that improves visibility and access for enterprises in the coastal city.
The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) Mombasa Chapter and NextRail Africa Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to roll out the Anwani Yangu Mombasa Business Mapping and Digital Discoverability Campaign.
The programme is designed to provide businesses with verified digital addresses, mapped locations, online profiles and QR-based verification systems in a bid to solve long-standing challenges in locating enterprises that rely heavily on informal directions.
For years, customers and delivery services have depended on landmark-based descriptions such as “next to the mosque,” “behind the petrol station” or “opposite the market” to locate businesses across Mombasa. While familiar locally, such directions have limited online visibility and constrained access to wider markets.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, KNCCI Mombasa chairman Abud Jamal said the initiative will transform how businesses connect with customers in an increasingly digital economy.
“Today is about putting Mombasa's businesses on the map, literally and economically,” he said.
Jamal noted that modern consumers increasingly search online before making purchasing decisions, making digital visibility essential for business growth.
“In today's economy, being good at what you do is not enough. People must be able to find you. If customers cannot find you, opportunities cannot find you either,” he said.
Under the initiative, participating businesses will receive verified digital addresses linked to their exact physical locations, along with detailed online profiles capturing services, contacts and operational information.
The system will allow users from anywhere, including other towns and countries, to locate Mombasa-based businesses online and access accurate navigation details.
Each business will also be assigned a unique QR code that customers can scan to verify authenticity, a feature expected to enhance trust and reduce fraud.
Jamal said the programme was developed after consultations with entrepreneurs who consistently raised concerns about limited visibility and poor discoverability in the digital marketplace.
“The message from the business community was clear: help us become visible, help us grow. This initiative answers that call,” he said.
The project is expected to benefit small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular, many of which struggle to compete with larger firms despite offering competitive products and services.
Businesses in areas such as Kisauni, Likoni, Kongowea, Bokole and Old Town will now be able to appear in digital searches alongside more established companies, improving their market exposure.
Beyond visibility, KNCCI said the initiative will create a centralised business database that can support investors, improve access to finance, strengthen supply chains and enhance economic planning.
“Anwani Yangu creates a foundation where suppliers, customers, financial institutions and investors can connect more efficiently and transparently,” Jamal said.
He added that improved digital discoverability would ultimately contribute to economic growth by expanding customer reach and increasing business opportunities.
NextRail Africa Limited, the technical partner in the project, said it was committed to ensuring successful implementation of the system across the county.
“When we explored the idea of digitally addressing businesses in Mombasa, we immediately saw its potential to transform visibility and unlock opportunities,” said Abdulhakim Ibrahim of NextRail Africa.
He said the company will provide the technology and technical expertise needed to operationalise the platform.
If successful, the initiative is expected to serve as a model for other counties seeking to improve business visibility and integrate local enterprises into digital markets.
