Public Relations and Strategic Communications firm Calla PR has launched a service called “Try it in Nairobi.” The initiative allows businesses to test products and services in Nairobi before expanding to other African markets.
The service helps companies find suitable participants, locations, and partners for pilot projects. It also supports communication around the pilots to help gather feedback from key stakeholders, including target customers, potential investor,s and collaborators.
“Businesses exist to solve problems, but many face difficulty testing their solutions in live markets,” said Calla PR Managing Director Kevin Otiende. “There’s often pressure to launch quickly without fully understanding how a product will perform.”
The programme is open to both established companies and individuals with new ideas. It gives them a chance to trial products in real-world conditions and make improvements before launch.
Otiende said poor testing can lead to weak customer uptake, brand damage or legal risk. A structured pilot process, he said, helps address those issues early.
Firms using the service can gather feedback, build customer understanding and test solutions in controlled environments. Target sectors include finance, manufacturing, tech, agribusiness, retail, supply chain, real estate, communication, education and healthcare.
Multinational companies interested in African expansion can also use the service to better understand Nairobi’s consumer base and refine their approach before scaling.
Forbes reports that over 30,000 new products are launched globally each year, but over 80% fail due to poor market testing. McKinsey adds that more than 25% of revenue in many industries comes from successful new launches.
The U.S. International Trade Administration describes Nairobi as a key access point to East and Sub-Saharan Africa, citing its connectivity, logistics, and skilled workforce. These factors make it a suitable location for product pilots.
