Kenya has signed a Ksh38 billion ($284.1 million) financial agreement with Korea for the construction of a state-of-the-art Konza Digital Media City at Konza Technopolis.
The Konza Digital Media City (DMC) project will position Kenya as a creative and content industry leader in Africa by providing a modern facility to promote the emerging creative sector. Last year, Kenya’s creative industry is estimated to have recorded over $2 billion (Ksh260 billion in total sales and is projected to grow annually at 10.3%.
“This financing agreement will lead to the realisation of our dream to develop the Africa’s Silicon Savannah and secure its place in the fast-evolving creative sector,” Eng. John Tanui, the Principal Secretary for Information, Communication, and the Digital Economy said during the signing ceremony. “The creative sector in digital era presents a great opportunity for Kenyan creatives to scale their talent and creative skills to the world map.”
The Konza Digital Media City, to be established on 160-acre parcel of land, aims to develop a top tier digital media hub by establishing both the critical infrastructure and programs needed to unlock opportunities in the digital economy. The facility will host, among others, multi-media training institutes, digital media enterprises, postproduction studios (gaming and animation), and music production, among other digital media content.
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Additionally, the Konza Digital Media City will offer professional level skilling and commercial services in gaming, animation, filming, photography, as well as entertainment and software development. It will also host film studios, broadcasting stations, and innovators incorporating latest cutting edge research, training, propagation of new technologies, innovation, production of digital media content and entertainment facilities.
With a burgeoning youthful population, Kenya is targeting the creative and digital economy for job creation and employment. Once completed the DMC is expected to create about 5,000 new jobs annually. This facility will have linkages to digital hubs initiative that seeks to develop 1,450 digital hubs developing the most robust ecosystem supporting creatives.
According to the Communication Authority of Kenya, there are over 130 Free to Air (FTA) television stations and close to 200 radio stations. This boom in broadcasting has witnessed a steady rise in the demand for local content. The need to create local content has been boosted by the Communication Authority pegging local content at minimum of 40%.
Building on the vibrant creative sector in the country that has grown to be recognised among the most vibrant ecosystems in Africa, the establishment of the Konza DMC will usher in the next level investments in the creative industry by spurring content monetisation.
“Konza Digital Media City is envisioned to provide a one-stop ecosystem that will allow for content creation and development, hence linking the creative industry to the media outlet,” Mr John Paul Okwiri, the Chief Executive Officer of Konza Technopolis, said.
The signing of the financing agreement comes at a time Kenya is pursuing global partnerships with established media players. During the recent state visit by President William Samoei Ruto to the United States of America, he visited the Tyler Perry Studios, one of the biggest creative content creation facilities.
“The opportunity ahead is immense, Africa has barely scratched the opportunity in content and media, and as we begin this exciting journey,” Eng. Tanui said.
The financing agreement of the Konza Digital Media City is part of the Knowledge sharing and Economic Investment Partnership Program (EIPP) between Kenya and South Korea. The project will be financed through the Korea Exim bank under a cooperation model framework that finances infrastructure and urban development related projects.
Under the EIPP, Korea has supported the establishment of the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Ke-AIST), a post graduate University for science and technology.
Additionally, under the cooperation agreement. Konza Technopolis has worked with Korea expert teams to develop project concepts for the establishment of strategic projects aimed to develop Konza as a science park, innovation hub and smart city with international best standards.
“The financing of the Konza Digital Media City is further testament to our resolve to support Kenya move forward into the fourth industrial revolution,” Hwang Kiyeon, Executive Director of Exim Bank said.
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