Kenya signs 3-year partnership with Korea to fast-track Konza City development

The three-year partnership dubbed the Economic Innovation Partnership Program (EIPP) will provide a framework for the completion of three pivotal projects in Konza Technopolis. 

While signing a Memorandum of Understanding at a meeting on Wednesday in Nairobi, ICT Principal Secretary Jerome Ochieng said that Kenya is keen on forging partnerships that will spur the country’s socio-economic transformation, particularly in the fields of ICT and Innovation so as to fully exploit its potential and stay ahead of the curve. 

“Under this EIPP, consultation based on Korea’s ICT infrastructure and urban development experience is expected to significantly contribute to formulating a smart city development strategy. Furthermore, the consultations will result in formulation of strategies that meet Konza Technopolis’ unique conditions and support its growth into an innovation hub for Kenya and the rest of Africa,” said PS Ochieng.

On his part, the Director of the Korean Ministry of Economy & Finance Chong Hwa Lee stated that the Kenya-Korea relationship has been on a constant growth curve with the two countries partnering on numerous projects previously. 

He acknowledged Kenya's immense growth in digital transformation will be key in catapulting the conutry towards achieving its vision 2030 plan.

“Kenya is the continent’s leading country in digital transformation, pushing for a leap to become Africa’s ‘Silicon Savannah’ through Vision 2030 and other National Development Plans. I am therefore confident that the projects lined up under the EIPP will have a reverberating effect across the continent”.

The three projects under the EIPP are Development of the Smart City Master Plan covering 500 acres alongside the smart city framework for the remaining 5,000 acres, Feasibility Study on the Integrated Control Centre focusing on Security Operations and Establishment of a transportation network and smart mobility plans that meet urban functions such as Smart Parking, Digital signage and Electric Vehicle Service (EVS).

The program supports two to three projects annually for a maximum of three years, focusing on establishing mid and long-term development strategies, improving laws and systems, planning infrastructure, and financing plans.

They also maximize business effectiveness by promoting policy advice for system improvement and implementation of the projects identified.