On a cold July morning while in the company of my brother Joe, we set off for a long overdue visit to Konza Technopolis. This is an upcoming smart city nestled 60km away from Nairobi’s CBD. There was hardly any traffic on Mombasa Road and after an hour’s time, we’d arrived at our destination. As I threw my eyes across the road and into the city, not much stood out save for the building that houses the Technopolis’ authority. Finally, after all security clearances, we were on a lift headed up to seventh floor. Sitting awaiting our host, I recognized the Ag. CEO John Paul nearby and took to exchange pleasantries with him. I’ve watched him on several occasions holding interviews in regard to the Konza Project. I couldn’t help noticing his warm demeanor and calm streak. After confirming several times that indeed we were minded, he left. Our designated host Mr. Tenik thereafter arrived and led us into one of the meeting rooms. Let me say that at the end of his presentation, we left pleasantly surprised of all the planned developments. Already 80% of phase’ 1 horizontal infrastructure stands complete.  We concluded the trip with mighty satisfaction and proceeded on our return trip to Nairobi.

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For a start, Konza Technopolis is a 5000-acre master planned development with plenty of investment opportunities awaiting to be snapped up by qualified investors. The core clusters that are planned include ICT/ ITES, Life Sciences and Engineering. The drivers of these core clusters include Research & Development; Education and Commercial Development.  On its completion, its estimated 1.5 trillion worth of investment and a population of 240k population will be accounted for in this Smart City. 

The ongoing projects and investments fall into 3 broad categories: –

KoTDA-led Projects.

• Phase 1 horizontal infrastructure
• Konza Complex
• KOTDA Furnished Apartments
• Infrastructure Consultancy
• Phase 1 guidelines/MDP2 Consultancy

 

Investor-led Projects

• Oncology Hospital
• Solar Farm
• Residential Development
• Office Blocks
• Schools
• Light Industry Facilities
• Commercial Developments
• Centers of Excellence
• Mixed Developments

 

Government Agencies Projects

• KAIST
• Smart Human Vaccine Facility
• KETRACO Substations
• Digital Media City
• Science and Technology Park
• 12km Railway Spur Line to SGR
• NEMA EIA/SEA Certification

 

Important notes I captured in our discussion.

• The Technopolis boasts of a Tier3 Data center that is strategically connected to all undersea cables from the landing station. Also, dualling of Machakos junction to Konza Technopolis for enhanced road connectivity is set to begin.
• For the phase one anchor tenant, the authority is facilitating the establishment of Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology University, KAIST. It will purely be offering post graduate research courses starting year 2024.
• Konza is seeking PPP partnerships to deliver affordable housing for the resident’s needs. Phase 1 is projected to host 40,000 people. At full build, the Technopolis is anticipated to provide homes to over 180,000 residents.
• In order to act as Africa’s leading creative economic hub, a Digital Media City has been planned. It aims to position Kenya as an attractive filming location with international standards. This is set to realize new entertainment and tourism opportunities. It will also incubate the media & entertainment industry thus training youths to be experts in the field.
• Konza Technopolis will be attracting both local, regional and international investors as a Special Economic Zone, SEZ plus a Science Park working in partnership with global associations. Being a member of the World Free Zones Organization, it is working to unlock the East African market leveraging on a global network of free zones.
• Konza Technopolis is planned to be home for Light Manufacturing and Logistics Hub with most amenities in place. (Power, Transport linkages, SEZ incentives, Labor, One-Stop Shop Support etc.

 

 

From the a fore-mentioned features, I concur plenty of investment opportunities lie in wait for the discerning investor. Interested investors can reach out to –  Invest@konza.go.ke or visit www.konza.go.ke for more details.