Kenya and Korea conclude second phase of Konza Technopolis innovation program

The governments of Kenya and South Korea have announced the successful conclusion of the second phase of the Economic Innovation Partnership Program (EIPP).

 The program, aimed at accelerating the development of the Konza Technopolis, marks another step towards turning the ambitious vision into reality.

The first phase of the EIPP projects, which commenced in March 2022, laid the foundation for the technopolis's development.

Key initiatives undertaken during this phase included the formulation of the Smart City Master Plan, a feasibility study focused on the Integrated Control Centre with an emphasis on Security Operations, the establishment of an Intelligent Transport System, and consultations for the creation of a vibrant Startup Ecosystem within Konza Smart City.

Speaking at the Final Reporting session held in Nairobi, Mr. Ik Hyun Eom, Managing Director of KOTRA Kenya, praised the strong bilateral relations between Korea and Kenya.

He expressed his satisfaction with the successful implementation of the EIPP projects and conveyed the anticipation of both governments for an equally successful third phase.

“Our intention is to deepen our cooperation through promoting of Public-Private Partnerships so that the Korean business communities can also get involved during the development of Konza Technopolis, he said.

Mr. Eom underscored the significance of Konza Technopolis within the East African region once it reaches completion, describing it as a standard and technical innovation icon.

John Paul Okwiri, Chief Executive Officer of Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA), highlighted the pivotal role of the newly studied Smart Transportation Corridor connecting Konza City and Nairobi.

He highlighted that this corridor would not only boost trade but also enhance connectivity within Nairobi and its neighbouring regions.

Konza Technopolis is poised to become a strategic logistics hub bridging Nairobi and Mombasa once this project is realized.

The EIPP is an extended cooperation grant model from the Korean government, focused on fostering mutually beneficial relationships between partner countries and Korea.

This grant is offered in kind, supporting identified projects for a maximum of three years. The program's key objectives include the development of mid and long-term development strategies, improvements in legal and systemic frameworks, infrastructure planning, and financing strategies.

The 2022/23 Kenya-Korea EIPP was executed through the combined efforts of the Korea Trade-Investment & Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and the Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA).