Konza Technopolis: Welcome to Silicon Savannah

KONZA TECHNOPOLIS, AFRICA’S

SMARTEST INVESTMENT destination will host the most creative, impactful technology that will disrupt industries and transform lifestyles.

Designated as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), the Technopolis provides unparalleled opportunities to deploy game changing technologies, make data driven decisions and deploy sustainable smart water and energy use that will lower the cost of doing business and open up economic opportunities for Africa. Most of

residential parcels in Phase One have already

been taken.

All our parcels are fully serviced, with a plug and play utilities feature. The Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Africa’s most forward university, has began. A world class Digital Media City is on course. 262 acres of nature parks and recreational areas, keeping Africa’s promise of everyday interaction with nature are set. We’re building the city of the future!

Why Invest in Konza Technopolis

Konza Technopolis Special Economic Zone

represents a strategic opportunity to invest in the growth of the ICT sector in Kenya as well as the country’s overall economy. When completed, Konza Technopolis will be a world-class technology hub, home to leading companies in education, life sciences, telecom, and BPO/ITES. Commercial space for these uses will be complemented by

diverse residential neighborhoods, hotels, a variety of retail offerings, community facilities,

and other public amenities. Konza Technopolis will be a walkable city, one that includes

high-quality public spaces, active and varied amenities, and short commute times between

destinations.

Konza Technopolis offers excellent connections within Kenya and the rest of the world through land and air. Konza is located 60 kilometers from Nairobi, Kenya’s capital and largest city. The A109 highway connects Konza to Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, and Mombasa, the primary port of entry to East Africa and Kenya’s second largest city. Konza’s world class infrastructure, high connectivity, active public realm, and cosmopolitan environment will allow companies to attract top talent and companies to the region.

Kenya has completed a 10 year Master Plan for Science and Technology Parks

The Ministry of Education has completed a 10 year Master Plan for Science and Technology Parks (STPs) in Kenya, Principal Secretary State Department of University Education and Research, Amb. Simon Nabukwesi has said.

He made the remarks while giving an address during the International Association of Science

Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) Africa

Division Forum Webinar hosted by Konza Technopolis virtually.

“This plan which provides a framework for the implementation of STPs in the next 10 years is indeed a major boost in our efforts to strengthen the country’s knowledge economy. We are at a good place as a country as we now have a framework for the implementation of the STPs in the coming years,”Amb. Nabukwesi said.

The forum brought together IASP leadership, global players in the technology space and key stakeholders in the Science and Technology Parks to discuss The Place of STPs in Africa’s

Economic Recovery-Impact of the African

Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.

Speaking at the same event, Amb. Dr. Samori

Okwiya, Chief Executive Officer of NEPAD/APRM Kenya Secretariat, said the African

Union had adopted Agenda

2063 which articulates the Continent’s sustained growth, competitiveness and economic transformation.

“In order to enhance opportunities, there is need to focus on innovation and entrepreneurship through collaboration between public and private stakeholders at both national and regional levels to facilitate co-creation and commercialization of innovation,” he said.

The event was hosted by Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA). The PS indicated that there are six STPs proposed within three technology corridors; Nairobi, central and western to be implemented going forward. The proposed STPs are Konza STP Nairobi Technopolis Corridor, Jomo Kenyatta

University of Agriculture and Technology

(JKUAT) STP Nairobi Technology Corridor,

University of Nairobi STP Nairobi Technology

Corridor, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology STP in central technology corridor,

Moi University STP in western technology

corridor and Maseno University STP in western technology corridor.

In addition to the above, a virtual STP is also

proposed for purposes of linking to all the other STPs and acting as the first step in the creation of a virtual workplace and market for

the 21st Century.

The PS further stated that the ministry, in collaboration with the National Commission for Science Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI), has also embarked on a programme to develop national physical sciences and research laboratories in energy, material science, engineering, minerology and nano technology, nuclear science and technology, forensic science, chemical sciences, metrology laboratory, bio technology, environmental science, theoretical and computational science as well as space science.

On his part, Mr. Ochieng said the Government has invested in the National Data Centre at Konza Technopolis which will support smart city facilities at the Technopolis while also providing investors and innovators a platform to host and secure their data and applications at a one-of-akind data centre in the region. The data centre is also supporting innovators by providing access to connectivity and hosting services.

Speakers during the conference were unanimous that commitment to cross border innovations will strengthen to economic situation of countries within the continent. https://konza.go.ke/2020/12/15/welcome-to-thesilicon-savannah/ https://konza.go.ke/