Nairobi, Feb. 18 -- A few years ago, securing a shop in Nairobi's central business district (CBD) was akin to striking gold. A prime location meant steady foot traffic, visibility, and the potential for growth for any type of business, whether you sold electronics, clothing, shoes, or household goods.

Back then, traders were willing to pay a goodwill fee of up to Sh10 million, which is a one-time upfront payment that tenants make to secure retail space for several years.

The idea behind it is simple, and the concept is as follows. A shop facing Tom Mboya Street or Accra Road attracts foot traffic automatically because these are well-known streets where people have shopped for decades.

Customers know these areas, trust them and visit th...