The commercial laundry industry in Kenya is experiencing significant growth, driven by rapid urbanization and an increasing demand for professional laundry services and related equipment.
With the urban population accounting for 30% of the population and growing at an annual rate of 4.4%, the residential and commercial demand for high-quality laundry services is expected to keep rising, making it an exciting time to invest in the flourishing laundry sector.
Less than 20% of households in Kenya have a washing machine, and with the busy nature of urban living, city residents increasingly do not have the time to do laundry themselves.
Data by LG Electronics’ distribution partner Hotpoint Appliances, predicts that over 1,000 new laundromats will be opened across Kenya within the next 10 years. This growth will be led by interest from residents of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Kiambu and Nakuru, contributing to a compound annual growth rate of 5.8% in the five-year period to end of 2025.
Nairobi already has over 250 laundromats in operation, with investors drawn to the relatively low startup costs.
The emerging laundromats are expected to be equipped with the latest technology, catering to a growing middle class and a bustling urban population that increasingly values convenience, quality, and efficiency. As such, there is a significant need for technical support, skilled maintenance staff, and knowledgeable investors to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the industry.
In response to this growing demand, LG organized two key events in April 2025 aimed at educating and preparing professionals and investors for the changing landscape of Kenya’s commercial laundry industry.
On April 8, LG ran a day-long Commercial Laundry Technician Training session to address the pressing need for skilled technicians in the East African commercial laundry sector. The initiative was designed to provide hands-on knowledge and equip 38 technicians with the latest skills required to operate and maintain modern commercial laundry equipment. The session covered essential technical elements of laundromat operations, including equipment operation, troubleshooting, and routine maintenance procedures.
The program was conducted by LG Electronics experts from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Somalia, who shared the best practices and techniques for managing high-tech commercial laundry equipment now entering the Kenyan market.
The aim was to ensure that technicians are both proficient in maintaining and repairing these advanced machines and can provide exceptional customer service, a crucial component of the laundromat business.
The training marked a significant step toward strengthening the backbone of the industry by ensuring that skilled personnel are available to manage the increasing number of new laundromats across the country.
Donghun Lee, the President of LG Electronics East Africa, says: “At LG, we are committed to ensuring that the workforce is well-prepared to handle the challenges that come with operating the emerging advanced systems. Our mission is to contribute to the growth of the commercial laundry industry in Kenya by fostering a culture of innovation, quality, and sustainability.”
Veronica Thongori, Head of B2B at Hotpoint Appliances says: “Over the past three years, Hotpoint has supported the setup of more than 120 laundromats across Kenya. Our role goes beyond supplying LG commercial washers and dryers, we provide end-to-end support including business advisory, technical training, and after-sales service to ensure our partners succeed in this growing industry.”