Korea scales up investment in Konza smart city
A grant from the government of South Korea is set to accelerate the development of four new projects in Konza Technopolis, bringing closer Kenya’s dream of attracting tech-based companies and related trades in the city.
The four projects that are set for rollout are an intelligent transport system and integrated control centre, a startup ecosystem, a smart logistics centre, and the Konza-Nairobi corridor transport network.
Already, the setup of the smart city has seen the development of a smart city master plan, a feasibility study on the integrated control centre focusing on security operations, and the establishment of a transportation network and smart mobility plans.
ICT and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary graced the launch of the 2022/2023 Kenya Economic Innovation Partnership Program (EIPP) an undertaking of Konza Technopolis in partnership with Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA).
In November last year, President William Ruto secured $1 billion in funding from South Korea to help set up a smart city at Konza following his meeting with Korean leader Yoon Suk yeol in Seoul.
The financing was set to be channeled through the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), implying that Seoul would send its experts to work on the project while transferring the technology to Kenyans.
Launched in 2008 during the late President Mwai Kibaki’s term, Konza Konza Technopolis is one the highlights of Kenya’s Vision 2030 but it has been limping over the years due to inadequate financing.
In the November deal, Korea agreed to also help in the development of the Sagana Industrial Park, Dongo Kundu, Athi River, and Naivasha Special Economic Zones.
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