Tatu City and Konza Technopolis to Forge an Association for Special Economic Zones

Tatu City’s owner and developer, Rendeavour, and Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA), the agency that oversees the development of Konza Technopolis, have agreed to establish an association for Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to catalyse economic development in the country.

The move, aimed at championing economic zone policies and a conducive operating environment for SEZ Enterprises, seeks to attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) into the country as well as promoting domestic investment. The engagement will further enable upcoming SEZs in the country to speak with one voice and champion economic development. 

Speaking during a courtesy call to Tatu City by KoTDA, Preston Mendenhall, Chief Operating Officer, Tatu City said: 

“Konza Technopolis and Tatu City are sister cities charting Kenya’s path toward sustainable urban development and the ease of doing business on the continent. Tatu City is delighted to deepen its engagement with Konza Technopolis by agreeing to establish an association of SEZs dedicated to the country’s economic prosperity and business climate.”

Commenting on the visit, KoTDA CEO Eng John Tanui noted that the engagement propels the joint development of smart cities with a focus on three areas: promotion of the cities, promotion of SEZs and the utilization of the cities’ world-class infrastructure, such as the National Data Centre in Konza. 

“We are glad that our engagement with Tatu City has continued to bear fruit and, from today’s discussion, we are pleased that the establishment of the SEZ association will seek to promote investment in our country,” said Eng. Tanui, adding that the partnership has so far been beneficial to both entities. 

Mr Mendenhall added: “We have decided, alongside Konza Technopolis, to act in unison because our collective effort is of greater benefit to Kenya’s economic future. Our establishment of an association of Special Economic Zones will be championed by Tatu City and Konza as founding partners and members.” 

Mr Mendenhall noted that both cities are committed to demonstrating Kenya’s position as a global investment hub.

More than 60 companies have already taken up space at Tatu City, with 13 of them operating as SEZ Enterprises.  

Eng. Tanui said the Authority is already benefiting from the SEZs incentives with over 50 investors earmarked to taking up space at the Konza Technopolis. 

The two cities announced their collaboration in January 2021, with a focus on building both mega-projects’ investment policies and positioning the cities at vantage positions for both local and international investors.

The visit was also attended by Arch. Dr. Reuben Mutiso, MBS, Chairman KoTDA, Justus Kariuki, Executive Vice President, Tatu City, and Tito Oduk, Director of Industrial Operations, Tatu City, amongst other distinguished guests. 

Both Tatu City and Konza City are building on 5,000 acres, each with mixed-use developments, including homes, schools, offices, medical centres, nature parks, sport and entertainment complexes and manufacturing for more than 250,000 residents and 30,000 day visitors each. 

So far, KoTDA’s National Data Centre and Konza Complex are complete while horizontal infrastructure on Phase One is ongoing. In Tatu City, two schools – Crawford International and Nova Pioneer – educate 3,000 students daily and 5,000 homes are occupied or under construction and development.