Konza techno city – the Kenya version of “Silicon Valley”

Artistic Impression of the Konza Techno City. IMAGE/File

A two-day Konza Techno City Investors Conference started on Tuesday Aug. 7, with a major announcement regarding which firm will manage the US$7 billion project.

The aim of the conference is to bring together investors from Africa, Europe, Asia and the United States; to provide Kenya citizens and other stake holders status updates with regards to the Konza project, and inform the people of Kenya about what investment opportunities there are and how they can go about putting their money to work for them in this project.

Konza city, – a “technopolis” will be Kenya’s and by extension the east African region’s “Silicon Valley” – and it is hoped that the construction of this special zone will attract innovation in technology, investment and create jobs.

It is now confirmed that an American firm, HR & A Advisors has beaten five other bidder,s including AECOM International Development of Finland, Swedish Sweco International, Dohwa Consulting Engineers from Korea and and New-York based SHoP Architects to manage the construction project.

HR & A Advisors is expected to come up with a plan in the first six months and thereafter attract and manage the development at the site for four-and-a-half years. The firm will be answerable to the Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KTDA), a public oversight body and will sign a contract for five years with the Kenya government.

The Konza technopolis will be built 60km from the capital of Kenya, Nairobi, and is expected to create about 200,000 jobs over a 20 year period. Its’ development will take place over 20 years at a cost of around US$ 7 billion.

The project will include ICT parks, business premises, educational facilities, shopping, recreation and residential areas.