In recent years, Kenya has taken the lead in East Africa’s push to become the first ‘smart region.’ The country has invested trillions in technology through government projects and foreign investments.
All this has helped Africa earn a spot as one of the fastest-growing economies. One standout smart project is Konza, birthed from a partnership between Kenya and South Korea.
The Konza Technopolis project was launched almost 20 years ago in 2008 as a key part of Kenya’s Vision 2030 Plan. Since then, Konza has forever been touted as Africa’s Silicon Valley.
Urbanization in Kenya has not been in tandem with its growing population. According to Worldometer, Kenya’s population stands at 56.6 million, with Nairobi alone housing around 5.1 million people.
Despite being a prime business hub, Nairobi seems to be spiralling in terms of spacing; buildings being vertically congested with limited natural light. The push for top-notch functionality and sustainability has prompted the government to adopt a long-term approach to city development.
In other words, with its growing population, the city needs to find a more sustainable environment for complimentary business operations. One successful strategy is the ongoing planning and growth of Konza Smart City.
Building a city from scratch is no small feat. For the benefit of Kenyans, the government is shaping Konza into a world-class city, driven by a thriving ICT sector and dependable infrastructure.
Konza Technopolis aims to emulate the American Silicon Valley by bringing together leading tech institutions, research firms, entrepreneurial startups and the government. A major goal is to tackle issues like overcrowding and environmental pollution.
It has positioned itself as an innovation hub for sectors including agricultural health, engineering and life sciences.
The project is piloted by the national government under the Ministry of ICT & Digital Economy. However, the construction is under the oversight of the Konza Technopolia Development Authority (KoTDA).
Konza plans to use technology to enhance residents’ lives by focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting clean air and water, and ensuring the use of renewable energy sources.
Furthermore, the city aims to be a green urban hub, with architectural designs integrating smart mobility, eco-friendly practices innovative urban aesthetics into its infrastructure.
Unlike Nairobi’s satellite towns which have given little thought to planning as the growing population seeks for places to live, Konza City has prioritized planning and building techniques to avoid overcrowding pitfalls.
For the city to achieve its mandate, efficiency is a principle to be observed. The master plan guarantees that important places like hospitals, schools, parks, and offices are all within a 15-minute reach for residents.
Konza Technopolis will include commercial buildings, tech hubs, entertainment centers, affordable housing, universities and student accommodation.
A smart communications infrastructure is already in place to make sure Konza lives up to its ‘Smart City’ name. A central data center will collect data to enhance public safety, monitor the environment, and guide smart city planning.
For example, sensors will be installed across the city to manage resources and reduce traffic congestion. The data collected in Konza will also include live CCTV footage, temperature changes, and demographic information about residents.
This approach helps city administrators monitor and respond to various aspects of urban life, enabling them to make informed decisions.
Konza Technopolis is being built in four phases, covering about 5,000 acres. The first phase, which is nearly finished, takes up 400 acres and will be home to at least 30,000 people.
The developers say Konza is designed to be a transit-friendly city. Hence, there will be a network of attractive, multifunctional lanes to ensure easy access for everyone in Konza City.
Phase One will also include parks, recreational spaces, up to three universities, and both residential and commercial buildings. Some completed projects in this phase are the Konza Complex, a WHO-standard water treatment plant, and the Konza National Data Centre.
Ongoing projects include the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) and the construction of its student hostels. KAIST will offer master’s programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Konza City, designed to be a tech-driven hub, is already home to the country’s first virtual university, the Open University of Kenya. Additionally, Riara University has started its construction project within the city.
According to Konza’s Chief Manager for Business Development and Innovation, Ms. Ndambuki, Konza is already home to Kenya’s first functional drone zone, a designated area for testing, developing, and deploying drone technologies.
There will also be a state-of-the-art stadium and other tech-focused facilities.
