Digital Media Hub at Konza Technopolis to generate 47,000 jobs for Kenya

Developing a Digital Media Hub at Konza Technopolis will help create more than 47,000 jobs to the Kenyan economy. This is according to the findings of a new study conducted by Korea Trade and Investment Agency in partnership with Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) that has revealed that establishment of a Digital Media Hub at Konza Technopolis is financially feasible.

While presenting the findings of the study today in Nairobi that was conducted by a consortium consisting of Ministry of Economy and Finance S.Korea, Dohwa Consulting Engineering’s C.,LTD and university of Seoul Ms. Koh Hye Ri from Dohwa Engineering said that the facility to be established on a 65-hectare piece of land at the Konza Technopolis could cost about Kshs.5.2 billion for the infrastructure development. Further, the study reveals that the media hub will generate an investment impact of about Kshs 16.5 billion to the surrounding communities of Machakos, Kajiado and Makueni Counties and the Kenyan economy at large.

On his part, the Senior Advisor in charge of Knowledge Sharing Program at the Korea Trade and Investment Agency, Kim Joong Kyum says the project will help position Kenya as an attractive filming location in Africa, attract global investment in the film and media industry. In addition, the Digital Media Hub will help draw creative talent to Kenya as well as elevate Kenya’s position as an entertainment and tourism hub. Among facilities expected to be availed at the Digital Media hub include TV/Broadcast, Film, Animation, gaming, ICT and software development.

On his part Joe Mucheru said that Konza Technopolis was recently gazetted as a special economic zone, to position Kenya as the leading technology hub in the region and be a major economic driver for the nation by contributing to the vision 2030 goal. The proposed Digital Media City will contribute to this goal as it seeks to promote the creative and cultural economy in Kenya and position it among the leading economic drivers for the nation. He further noted that development of horizontal infrastructure is ongoing and the construction of the National Data Centre to begin soon.

Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA), Chief Executive Officer, Eng. John Tanui, welcomed the findings noting that the Digital Media hub will position Kenya as a new digital hub in Africa. The KoTDA also offered an update on development of the Konza Technopolis. He said the development of horizontal infrastructure at Konza Technopolis is on schedule for completion by 2021.

It involves the first 170-hectare phase of the project, with the urban development works to accommodate the initial building necessary to stimulate the subsequent phases of development, including the design and construction of Phase 1 roads, parks, subservices, water treatment plants, sewage treatment plants, an automatic waste collection system, and a few public buildings such as the police station and fire department.

Eng. Tanui’s sentiments were echoed by the Kenya Film Commission Chief Executive Officer Timothy Owase who said that a digital media city in Kenya will have facilities that will accommodate film and production not only in the country but also in the East and Central African region.

The study which was conducted under the banner of Knowledge Sharing Program with close supervision and support of Kenya’s Ministry of National Treasury and Planning, and the Korea Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (KoTRA), the Dohwa Consortium, in close partnership with KoTDA took a period of one Monthz