Konza, Tatu City Team Up to Attract Investment Billions

Konza Technopolis and Tatu city developer Rendeavour have established a new lobby group to push for accelerated economic development and investment in Special Economic Zones (SEZ).

The SEZ Association intends to attract foreign direct investments (FDI) and support local investment by encouraging the development of favorable policies and creating a conducive operating environment.

In Kenya, a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is a designated geographical area where business-enabling policies are implemented and sector-appropriate on-site and off-site infrastructure and utilities are provided for by the Kenyan Government.

The Tatu-Konza agreement builds on collaboration announced by the two cities in  January 2021 to attract greater investments.

“We are glad that our engagement with Tatu City has continued to bear fruit and, from today’s discussion, we are pleased that the establishment of the SEZ association will seek to promote investment in our country,” noted Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) chief executive officer John Tanui.

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Konza Technopolis is a Ksh1.2 Trillion project established as part of Kenya’s Vision 2030 blueprint. Located in Machakos County, it is envisioned as a world-class, smart city with a focus on technology and research businesses including business process outsourcing, software development, data centres, a university, disaster recovery centres, call centres and light assembly manufacturing industries. The flagship project is however, far behind schedule in terms of infrastructure and partnerships.

So far, the National Data Centre and Konza Complex have been completed. Horizontal infrastructure works for phase one are ongoing.

Tanui stated that at least 50 investors had been earmarked for space at the Konza Technopolis.

Tatu City is a 5000-acre mixed-use development with Special Economic Zone status. It incorporates homes, schools, offices, a shopping district, medical clinics, nature areas, a sport & entertainment complex and manufacturing area.

At least 60 companies have taken up space at Tatu City, with 13 operating as SEZ enterprises. Two schools, Crawford International and Nova Pioneer, are already operational.

“Konza Technopolis and Tatu City are sister cities charting Kenya’s path toward sustainable urban development and the ease of doing business on the continent. Tatu City is delighted to deepen its engagement with Konza Technopolis by agreeing to establish an association of SEZs dedicated to the country’s economic prosperity and business climate,” stated Tatu City Chief Operating Officer Preston Mendenhall.

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