The voice behind the booth: Why language services are next big thing

At the long conference table of a Nairobi hotel, microphones flicker to life.

Some participants wear headsets, others lean forward, listening intently. Inside a soundproof booth at the back, a man speaks rapidly, his voice flowing in French as he translates every English word being said.

Outside, a technician checks receivers and sound levels to ensure everything runs without a glitch. 

This is the unseen choreography behind international conferences in Nairobi. While delegates exchange ideas across borders, a hidden team ensures that a Portuguese delegate understands an Italian presenter, or a French policymaker follows the argument of an English speaker.

For nearly a decade, Rivaton Translators has been at the centre of this work—bridging languages, connecting cultures, and enabling global conversations right here in Kenya’s capital.

When Vincent Owino returned to Kenya in 2015 after training in South America, he carried more than just fluency in Spanish.

He came back with an idea: that Kenya needed a professional, reliable language service provider (LSP) to fill glaring linguistic gaps in business, government, and development spaces.

That idea gave birth to Rivaton Translators, a Nairobi-based LSP that has now been in operation for nine years.

The company has built its reputation around three core services: document translation and certification, conference interpreting, and the provision of simultaneous interpretation equipment for major events.

“I began as a freelance translator and interpreter,” Owino recalls.

“After my training abroad, I came back and worked with companies and private clients. I quickly saw a huge gap—there was no reliable language solutions company that could consistently deliver professional services.

He officially registered Rivaton in 2016, starting with a skeletal administrative team while relying heavily on freelance interpreters.

Like many entrepreneurs, his early years were defined by capital challenges, particularly in acquiring costly interpretation equipment.

“At the moment, my equipment cannot serve more than 100 delegates,” he explains. “To serve even 100, you need to invest between Sh2 million and Sh3 million in booths, microphones, receivers, and control units. For startups, cheaper Chinese-manufactured systems are the only option compared to European brands like Bosch or Philips.”

On average, a three-to-five-day international conference brings in Sh400,000–500,000 in net profit, depending on size and language pairs. Smaller meetings may yield Sh200,000–300,000.

Yet these profits are seasonal, with peak activity in March–April, July–August, and November–December. Like many small and medium enterprises (SMEs), Rivaton’s resilience was tested during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Two years of cancelled conferences forced us to close our physical office. At some point, I thought of giving up entirely,” Owino says.

The firm survived by working remotely and now plans to reopen a physical office in 2026 as demand stabilises.

Rivaton Translators is one of Kenya’s 7.4 million registered SMEs, according to the 2024 Kenya National Bureau of Statistics report.

SMEs contribute about 40 per cent of GDP and employ over 14.5 million Kenyans, or nearly 80 per cent of the workforce.

Yet, SMEs in specialised service industries like translation and interpretation are often overlooked.

“The government doesn’t recognise us as a business sector, yet we contribute to this country’s economy,” Owino says.

“If you fill in official documents, translator or interpreter is not listed as a profession. This invisibility hurts recognition and access to support.”

Globally, the language services market was valued at $69 billion (Sh8.901 trillion) in 2023 and is projected to grow to $98 billion (12.642 trillion) by 2030.

Research shows firms using professional translation and interpretation expand 30 per cent faster into foreign markets than those relying on ad-hoc bilingual staff.

Accurate communication reduces transaction risks, improves compliance, and builds trust across borders.

Africa, however, remains underrepresented. Despite being the most linguistically diverse continent, with more than 2,000 languages, it contributes less than five per cent of global translation industry revenues.

“Nairobi is a regional hub for international organisations, NGOs, and even the United Nations. The demand for multilingual services is right here, but local entrepreneurs have not fully tapped into it,” Owino notes.

The opportunities for the industry are immense. Nairobi’s global hub status continues to fuel rising demand for interpretation. Regional integration efforts, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and East African Community (EAC) summits, require cross-border communication. At the same time, AI-powered platforms and virtual conferencing are expanding access to interpreters and breaking down geographical barriers.

But there are threats too. Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools like Google Translate and ChatGPT raise fears of job displacement.

Owino is pragmatic: “AI may handle simple text, but it cannot manage cultural nuance, technical jargon, or confidentiality at high-level summits. Instead of fearing AI, we should see it as a support tool.”

The industry also faces structural hurdles. “Finding interpreters for niche language pairs such as Serbian or Turkish often means flying them in at high cost.

Many clients delay payments, putting a strain on SMEs’ cash flow,” Owino says.

Another misconception is that anyone bilingual can do the job. “This is a professional field. You must be trained, not just bilingual,” Owino stresses.

“Translators work with documents, often sensitive, requiring ethics and confidentiality. That’s why we sign NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) with clients. Interpreters, on the other hand, must handle complex jargon in real-time conferences. Without training, you can’t do this effectively.”

To guarantee quality, Rivaton works only with trained professionals, many of whom use Computer-Aided Translation (CAT) tools to maintain consistency.

The firm also belongs to the East Africa Interpreters and Translators Association (EAITA), which advocates for recognition and faster client payments.

“The presence of international organisations in Nairobi and across Africa is a golden opportunity,” Owino says.

Indeed, the rise from just seven language businesses before 2015 to at least 15 in Nairobi today signals growing interest. However, more investment in training, equipment, and awareness is needed. Referrals remain Rivaton’s strongest growth driver—60 per cent of business comes through word-of-mouth. Digital visibility via a website and social media contributes about 20 per cent, with the rest from walk-ins and repeat clients. On September 29, translators worldwide will mark International Translation Day, and Rivaton Translators is partnering with local universities to raise awareness.

“We need people to understand that we exist and that we contribute to the economy,” Owino says. “We are not just service providers—we are enablers of trade, diplomacy, and cultural exchange.”

For Owino, his motivation lies in maintaining Rivaton’s brand and ensuring professionalism in an industry that still struggles with visibility.

“We are like orphans,” he says. “We offer services globally and regionally, but without government acknowledgement, our voices remain unheard.”