By Stephen Ahenda, Founder of BicoTravels · Last reviewed October 2026 · How we write our guides
Nairobi and Lagos have become two of Africa’s busiest business hubs – both come with heavy traffic and tight schedules, so a little planning saves real time on a short trip.
Getting from the airport
Book an airport transfer in advance rather than relying on a taxi rank – flight tracking means your driver adjusts to delays automatically, useful when a delayed landing could otherwise cost you a meeting.
Timing your meetings around traffic
Both cities see heavy congestion during roughly 7–9am and 4–7pm. Where possible, schedule cross-town meetings outside these windows, or build in significant buffer time if a meeting falls within them.
Staying connected from landing
Set up a local or regional eSIM before you fly so you’re online for email, maps and ride-hailing apps the moment you land – no time lost hunting for an airport SIM vendor.
Where to stay
Choose a hotel near your primary meeting district rather than the airport unless your schedule is airport-heavy – the time saved on daily commutes usually outweighs any convenience of an airport-adjacent stay.
Before you land: entry and paperwork
Both countries ask many visitors to get authorisation before they travel. Kenya uses an online electronic travel authorisation, and Nigeria uses an online e-visa portal. What you need depends on your passport and the purpose of your trip, and business travelers are sometimes asked for an invitation letter from the company they are visiting. Always apply through the official government websites, and be wary of third-party “fast-track” sites that charge extra fees. Carry printed copies of your authorisation, hotel booking and meeting invitation, and check whether a yellow fever certificate is required for your route.
Money, payments and expenses
In Nairobi, mobile money such as M-Pesa is part of everyday life, and cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and business districts. In Lagos, cards work in hotels and larger venues, but it is wise to carry some local cash for smaller expenses and not to rely on a single card. Tell your bank you are travelling, keep digital copies of receipts for expense reports, and change money at banks, shopping-mall bureaux or through your hotel rather than with street vendors.
Getting around between meetings
Use a ride-hailing app or a pre-booked driver, and ask your hotel to recommend a reputable driver for the whole day if your schedule is packed. Group meetings by area wherever you can. In Lagos, the mainland and the islands are linked by bridges that can back up badly, so confirm travel times with local colleagues before you commit to back-to-back appointments. In Nairobi, the Expressway can shorten some cross-town journeys at peak times.
Working on the road
Choose a hotel with dependable wifi and a business lounge, and ask whether it has backup power, because power interruptions can happen in some districts. Carry a power bank and a second connection such as a local eSIM so a call does not drop in the middle of a meeting. Both cities also have co-working spaces if you need a quiet base for a few hours.
Staying safe
Standard big-city precautions apply: use licensed or app-booked rides, avoid showing expensive devices on the street, avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas, keep copies of your passport separate from the original, and share your itinerary with a colleague. Check your own government’s current travel advice before you leave, and make sure your insurance covers medical care and trip disruption.
A simple 48-hour plan
- Day 1: arrive, transfer to the hotel, check in, do a light work session and get an early night.
- Day 2: cluster meetings by area in the morning, have a working lunch, keep the afternoon as a buffer, and wrap up with an evening call or dinner.
- Departure: leave your hotel with generous time to spare, as traffic can add hours to the trip to the airport.
FAQ
Is ride-hailing reliable in both cities? Yes, major ride-hailing apps operate widely in both Nairobi and Lagos – having data ready via an eSIM makes this far smoother from arrival.
Should I carry cash? Card and mobile payments are widely accepted in business districts, but keep some local cash for smaller vendors and tips.
How early should I leave for the airport? Both cities can have unpredictable traffic, so plan to leave your hotel with a generous buffer. Arriving around three hours before an international departure is a sensible baseline.
Can I combine a business trip with some leisure time? Yes. From Nairobi, Nairobi National Park is within easy reach of the city and the Maasai Mara is a short flight away. Check our Kenya guide for ideas.
Related
- Compare flights — fares to Nairobi and Lagos
- Compare hotels — stays for business trips
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