Kenya’s Konza Technopolis has so far attracted over 140 investors and $1.2 billion in investment.
This is according to John Kipchumba Tanui, principal secretary at the State Department of ICT and Digital Economy.
Tanui shared the details last week during President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau’s visit to Konza Technopolis.
He explained that Konza Technopolis provides opportunities in ICT, data centres, and other areas, with recent investments from various institutions affirming the facility’s ability to promote innovation.
Konza Technopolis, also known as Silicon Savannah, is a huge technology hub marketed by the Kenyan government as a key component of the east African country’s national development strategy, Kenya Vision 2030.
Tanui explained the importance of the facility, saying: “Plans are also underway to develop the Konza Media City, which will position Kenya as a leader in Africa’s creative and digital content industries. This initiative will include cutting-edge multimedia facilities, creating opportunities for economic growth and job creation in the digital era.”
He continued: “With over 140 investors and $1.2 billion in secured investments, Konza Technopolis offers vast opportunities in ICT, data centers, property development, healthcare, retail, light manufacturing, and more with recent investments by Riara University and GS1 Kenya further emphasize the city’s potential to drive innovation and economic transformation.”
Furthermore, he stated that the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Kenya-AIST), modelled after South Korea’s AIST, is at the heart of Konza’s transformative objectives.
According to Tanui, Kenya AIST promotes research and innovation in science, technology, and engineering, addressing Africa’s demand for highly skilled scientists and engineers while also serving as a hub for knowledge creation, technology transfer, and capacity building to propel Kenya’s modernisation agenda.
Through the Konza Digital Skills Program, Jitume, the facility has also embarked on training Kenyans in digital skills to enable them to tap into global digital opportunities, Tanui said.
Also, he said Konza is home to the Green-tech Innovation Hub, which is part of a United Nations Development Programme project to construct ten innovation hubs across Africa. This centre was launched last year at an event attended by President William Ruto.
In closing, the principal secretary praised President Embaló’s visit, stating that it demonstrates international recognition of Konza’s critical role in shaping Africa’s technological and economic transformation.
Source: extensia.tech
