NSSF Twin Towers: inside the plan for East Africa's tallest building
A Ksh30 billion, 60-storey tower is planned for the heart of Nairobi, built with workers' pension money. Here is what is planned, and the questions worth asking.
The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) plans to build a Ksh30 billion twin-tower development at the junction of Uhuru Highway and Kenyatta Avenue in Nairobi's CBD, on land the fund already owns and values at about Ksh4 billion. The plan was announced in February 2026.
The two towers
- Tower A: 60 storeys, about 260 metres tall.
- Tower B: 35 storeys, about 140 metres tall.
- Inside: premium offices, a business hotel, serviced apartments, shops and conference space.
- An observation deck on the 56th floor and parking for about 1,150 vehicles.
How it would compare
| Building | Height |
|---|---|
| NSSF Tower A (planned) | about 260 m |
| Commercial Bank of Ethiopia HQ, Addis Ababa | 209 m |
| Britam Tower, Nairobi | 200 m |
| GTC Tower, Nairobi | 184 m |
| Old Mutual Tower, Nairobi | 163 m |
| Times Tower, Nairobi | 140 m |
At about 260 metres, Tower A would be the tallest building in East and Central Africa, according to the figures published with the announcement.
Who builds it, and when
China Road and Bridge Corporation is to build the project. Construction is expected to take about three years, with groundbreaking planned for later in 2026 once regulatory approvals are final. NSSF says it is targeting a return of at least 12% and plans to sell completed units to investors, with the money returning to the fund.
Questions worth asking
- Will there be enough demand for new premium offices and apartments in the CBD?
- How will the fund report progress, costs and returns to its members?
- What happens to the plan if approvals or costs change?
The fund's chief executive says one aim is to bring people back to a CBD that empties at night, by adding homes, hotels and shops.
