500km of ICT underground cables have been laid in Konza City in readiness for investments of private companies seeking to set up in Greenfield City.
Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) CEO John Tanui revealed the report and said that the infrastructure is meant to attract investment by providing a ready-to-plug backbone ICT network.
The Technopolis is situated a 5,000 acre piece of land 60km from the country’s capital city of Nairobi and is part of the vision 2030 initiative set up by the government. Once operational, the city will be able to attract software developers, university campuses focused on research and technology, hospitals, schools, high speed mass transport system, a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) park among other world class amenities. It is also meant to put Kenya on the global spotlight as Africa’s premiere techno hub.
Containerized data centre
Konza has also completed Phase 2 — Tier III National Data Centre, with smart city facilities and services to support Konza Technopolis, e-government as well as the small and medium enterprises services.
“We are expecting Kenya to cement its lead in IT leadership and this is a flagship project that will be integral for job creation for the youth. The project, Mwige said, is expected to support Kenya’s ambition to build the knowledge-based economy by hosting both government and private sector data locally,” Vision 2030 CEO Kenneth Mwige said.
The technopolis was initially operating from a containerised data centre put up in the first phase which will now be used as a data recovery site. The project has also done 40km of powerlines, one main electrical station plus 50 substations,” said CEO John Tanui.
Unlock unemployment gridlock
The hub will host private business complexes and office spaces, mixed-use developments, schools, research institutions, ICT hub, and residential space. The technology city is expected to create 15,000 jobs and host 30,000 residents
The City is also expected to unlock the unemployment gridlock in the country heightened by the coronavirus pandemic. Through interdepartmental consultations, the Government will Fastrack construction of Thwake Dam to ensure Konza city gets enough water required for its growth.
