Kenya receives final reports from Korea on joint projects worth Sh130b

The government has received the final reports from Korea's development cooperation agency covering three major projects under Konza Technopolis Development Authority worth $1 billion (Sh130 billion).

The reports are a culmination of the three-year economic innovation partnership programme (EIPP), covering the establishment of a smart farm in Konza Smart City, an incubation complex, and a renewable energy strategy for Konza Technopolis.

The three reports are courtesy of the Korea Trade Investment Corporation Agency (Kotra).

"I wish to laud the partnership progress between our two countries that predates independence time and built over the year," said ICT and Digital Economy Principal Secretary John Tanui

"We are proud to note the support received from Korea in ICT to industrial technology, road infrastructure to health and water projects to education."

The partnership, Eng Tanui said, which has flourished under the broader framework of the EIPP, is a testament to the strong ties between Kenya and South Korea.

He added that the two countries shared vision of innovation, technology, and infrastructure development has brought about impactful results, particularly through the development of Konza Technopolis - Africa's Silicon Savannah.

Through the Knowledge Sharing Programme (KSP), the EIPP identified 10 projects to support the development of Konza Technopolis over three years, starting in 2021.

"We are proud to mark another major milestone for EIPP as we present the last three final projects reports," said Park Chul Ho, the Kotra Director General of the Development Cooperation Office.

One of the projects, the Konza-Nairobi Corridor Transport Network, that proposes the dualling of the Machakos turn-off to Emali and covered in the second year of the programme, has now moved to the procurement stage, expected to commence construction in early 2025.

Similarly, the Konza Digital Media City, a top tier media hub received Sh36.9 for construction. This financing agreement was signed in June during President William Ruto's visit to Korea for the Korea-Africa summit.

In the 2021-22 phase, three projects were approved for implementation; establishment of Konza Technopolis Smart City Masterplan, an integrated control centre, and establishment of a transportation network and smart mobility basic plan.

Several other projects were covered in the 2022-23 period.

"These projects we are supporting are meant to support Kenya leap forward in terms of smart technology across the various spectrum," said South Korea acting Ambassador to Kenya Nam Sang Kyoo.