Konza Technology City

Konza Techno City is a BPO project that is being marketed by the Kenyan government through Kenya ICT Board. It is dubbed "where African silicon savannah begins".[1]

The park is set to host business process outsourcing (BPO) ventures, a science park, a convention centre, shopping malls, hotels, international schools, and health facility project was allowed by the Parliament Account Committee and endorsed by the Kenyan Government.[2] The city will be located in Makueni County.[3] It will be built in 5000 acres of land 64 km south of Nairobi.

The project is estimated to cost Kshs 1.2 trillion (approx US$14.5b). The project is marketed as key driver of Kenya Vision 2030.

Design Team

The Ministry of Information and Communications (Kenya) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) engaged Master Delivery Partner 1 (MDP1) to prepare a detailed business plan and master plan for Phase 1 in July 2012. The Expression of Interest for this assignment attracted 22 firm responses, narrowed to 6 in a shortlist. The Ministry and IFC selected the team led by HR&A Advisors, Inc. of New York City leading a 6-firm international team:

KOTDA

Konza Technopolis Development Authority’s (KOTDA) mission is to ensure that Konza grows into a sustainable world-class technology hub and a major economic driver for the nation, with a vibrant mix of businesses, workers, residents, and urban amenities.

As Konza grows and evolves, KOTDA will evolve with it. At its inception, KOTDA will be a lean and efficient organisation that has the ability to draw upon external consultant resources for expertise it does not yet have in-house. Over time, KOTDA will grow from a minimally staffed organisation in its first few years to a fully formed organisation by the end of Phase 1, although external resources and expertise will likely continue to play a role to some extent. As Konza becomes a larger and more established city, KOTDA will increase its city management and service provision role.

Development

The initial feasibility and concept master plan was prepared jointly by Deloitte and Pell Frischmann, a UK based design consultancy and funded by the International Finance Corporation.[4] At that stage, the project brief was limited to a Technology Park of 700 acres with BPO/ IT businesses at its core. During the feasibility study, Pell Frischmann proposed a city – Konza Technopolis to make the technology park a more viable destination. The Kenyan government agreed and commissioned a new master plan for a city of 5000 acres that was completed by Pell Frischmann. World class infrastructure, sustainability and inclusive growth were the key drivers of this master-plan. The brand identity of Konza Technopolis as “the Silicon Savannah” and supporting promotional materials by Pell Frischmann and Urban Graphics, crystallised the Kenyan Government’s vision of creating a world class city, powered by a thriving IT sector and generating 100,000 jobs by 2030.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Kenya ICT Board
  2. ↑ Patrick Thuita; Construction News "Kenya to build sh1.2Trillion ICT PARK
  3. ↑ http://www.nation.co.ke/news/politics/Charity-Ngilu-Konza-Machakos-Makueni-Land/-/1064/2309544/-/1d5g7az/-/index.html
  4. ↑ Pell Frischmann "Athi River SEZ, Kenya"
  5. ↑ BBC "Kenya begins construction of 'silicon' city Konza"

External links