Kenya's Konza Technopolis Offer's Japan's Tech Giants Special Economic Zones to Set up Businesses
- Konza Technopolis has invited Japan’s top tech companies to set up businesses within its Special Economic Zones to boost Kenya’s digital transformation
- Leading Japanese firms including Hitachi, NEC, Toyota Tsusho, SoftBank, and Rakuten participated in the workshop to explore investment opportunities in Kenya’s Silicon Savannah
- Kenya’s ICT Principal Secretary John Tanui emphasised that Kenya is eyeing partnerships that will create jobs for Kenyan youths
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Elijah Ntongai, an editor at TUKO.co.ke, has over four years of financial, business, and technology research and reporting experience, providing insights into Kenyan, African, and global trends.
Kenya's Konza Technopolis has extended an invitation to leading Japanese technology companies to set up operations within its designated Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
Source: Twitter
This invitation was extended during a high-level Kenya-Japan public workshop hosted at the smart city on June 26.
The workshop was aimed at deepening collaboration between Kenyan and Japanese enterprises in the fields of digital innovation, smart infrastructure, and advanced technology systems.
"Konza Technopolis welcomes partnerships with Japanese organisations to invest here and leverage the exceptional talent of Kenyan youth. We invite them to set up base and exploit the vast opportunities available within Konza Technopolis, which is a special economic zone," John Paul Okwiri, CEO of Konza Technopolis, said during the workshop.
The workshop was organised under the Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy (MICDE) and it showcased Japanese capabilities in areas such as broadband infrastructure, data centres, Open RAN, energy efficiency, and smart network solutions.
Speaking at the event, Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy, John Tanui, stressed the importance of these partnerships in supporting the country’s digital economy.
“We are particularly interested in partnerships that create jobs, build skills, and foster innovation for young Kenyans. The digital future of our economy is paramount, and this collaboration with Japan is pivotal in accelerating our journey,” Tanui said.
Japan's delegation in Kenya
The Japanese delegation was led by Nomura Eigo, Director-General of the Global Strategy Bureau at Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication.
The delegation included top executives from major Japanese corporations, including Hitachi, Sumitomo Corporation, Fujita, Toyota Tsusho Corporation, NEC, Rakuten, SoftBank, and Nichiei International.
Source: Twitter
Konza Technopolis was established as part of Kenya’s Vision 2030, and it is the country's flagship smart city project and one of the most ambitious digital infrastructure initiatives in East and Central Africa.
The 5,000-acre smart city, also known as the 'Silicon Savannah', is located 60 kilometres southeast of Nairobi.
Konza launches waste management system
In other news, Konza Technopolis launched Africa’s first automated pneumatic waste collection system worth KSh 1.2 billion in June 2025.
The system was developed in partnership with Swedish tech firm Envac and implemented by Italian contractor ICM S.p.A.
The system features a 15-kilometre underground pipe network, 100 waste disposal points, and sensor-activated valves and can handle up to 40 tonnes of solid waste daily, promoting efficient, eco-friendly waste management.
Konza CEO John Paul Okwiri said the investment aligns with the city’s vision of becoming a smart, zero-emission urban hub.
The innovative system eliminates the need for garbage trucks, reduces carbon emissions and noise pollution.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
