Kenya Woos China to Invest in Konza City

The design of the Ultra-modern Security Command Centre at Konza City
The design of the Ultra-modern Security Command Centre at Konza City
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KONZA

In a bid to boost technological development in the country through Konza City, Kenya is pursuing investors from China.

From the administrators at the smart city, Kenya intends to tap the advanced knowledge and technological facilities from China.

Speaking on Monday, November 14 to CGTN, Lucas Omolo, the manager of Information, Communications, and Technology (ICT) at Konza City added that Chinese investors will be incorporated in several sectors that guarantee technological development.

An ariel view of structures at Konza Technopolis
An ariel view of structures at Konza Technopolis
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Some of the sectors include public transport systems, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, financial technology, digitisation, and robotics.

"Konza Technopolis presents opportunities for other Chinese investors to come on board n order to boost Kenya's status as a regional technology hub," Omollo remarked.

He also announced that a popular Chinese technology firm had completed the construction of a data center in Konza city. The government through the ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo highlighted plans to consolidate all data.

According to Omollo, since the first phase of the project has attracted a sizeable group of investors, the focus has shifted to wooing technology investors for phase two.

"Konza smart city is one of the key flagship projects of the country's vision 2030 national development blueprint that is meant to transform the technology landscape through knowledge generation," he reiterated.

Particularly, the ICT CS noted the project will be used to produce cheap electronics like phones for Kenyans.

He made the announcement on Thursday, November 3, while touring Konza City.

"For us to roll out the fund (Hustler Fund), we need cheap but adequately T-enabled devices, this is where Konza comes in. We see Konza as a way for the innovation (through which we can) manufacture handsets that can cheaply be accessed by hustlers," he stated.

The project was launched in 2009 by the late President Mwai Kibaki in line with Vision 2030.

Information, Communication Technology and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo arriving at KBC on Tuesday November 1, 2022.
Information, Communication Technology, and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo arriving at KBC on Tuesday, November 1, 2022.
KBC