NAIROBI, Kenya – Workable has become the first coworking space in Africa to earn the WELL Coworking Rating, marking a major milestone for workplace wellness on the continent. The achievement comes as new research reveals rising levels of stress and burnout among Kenyan employees, prompting businesses to rethink how office environments affect performance.
According to Niche Human Capital Advisory, 87% of Kenyan employees report experiencing workplace stress. The findings also reveal a wider regional challenge. Across Sub-Saharan Africa, 80.4% of employees experience moderate to extreme workplace stress, while 67.8% report emotional exhaustion and burnout. In addition, 82.5% believe employers should do more to support mental wellbeing.
The findings highlight the growing pressure on employers to create healthier workplaces that support employee wellbeing and long-term business performance.
Globally, workplace stress, poor mental health and employee disengagement are estimated to cost businesses US$10 trillion each year through lost productivity. As a result, organizations are increasingly viewing workplace wellbeing as a strategic investment rather than simply an employee benefit.
Rebecca Gichuki, Partner at Niche Human Capital Advisory, said the workplace has become one of the strongest drivers of organizational success. She noted that employee wellbeing is no longer solely the responsibility of human resource departments.
Instead, she said leaders who invest in healthier workplaces, supportive cultures and effective management are more likely to improve productivity, retain skilled employees and build resilient organizations.
Against this backdrop, Workable has become Africa’s first coworking space to receive the WELL Coworking Rating, a globally recognized certification developed by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) in partnership with The Instant Group.
The certification measures workspaces against evidence-based standards covering indoor air quality, lighting, thermal comfort, water quality, movement, nourishment, mental wellbeing, building materials and community. Together, these elements are designed to create healthier, happier and more productive work environments.
Speaking after receiving the certification, Workable Founder and Chief Executive Officer Samir Patel said businesses must begin measuring more than the cost of office space.
“Businesses have always measured the cost of office space. Today, they also have to measure the cost of unhealthy workplaces,” Patel said. He added that investing in employee wellbeing ultimately strengthens innovation, productivity and sustainable business growth.
The recognition also builds on Workable’s existing EDGE certification, reinforcing the company’s commitment to combining hospitality, sustainability and wellness within its flexible workspace solutions.
Meanwhile, Ann Marie Aguilar, Senior Vice President for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at IWBI, said the achievement demonstrates that African businesses are embracing globally recognized workplace wellness standards.
She added that workplace design plays an increasingly important role in improving employee health, enhancing productivity and supporting stronger organizational performance.
As businesses continue redefining the future of work, attention is shifting beyond where employees work to how workplaces influence business outcomes. Consequently, healthier office environments are becoming a competitive advantage, helping organizations attract talent, improve productivity and build more resilient businesses.
About Workable
Workable is a premium flexible workspace provider headquartered at Sanlam Allianz Tower in Nairobi. Guided by the principles of hospitality, sustainability and wellness, the company offers private offices, coworking memberships, meeting rooms and enterprise workspace solutions designed to help businesses and professionals perform at their best.
