US-based SMEs to get operating space at Konza Techno City

Konza Technopolis Authority has signed a partnership with an American business lobby that will position Kenyan SMEs to better compete in regional and international markets.

The MoU between The National Business League (NBL) and the Authority lays a framework for small local businesses to benchmark and learn best practices.

“Through the establishment of Small and Medium enterprises Development Programme, we shall assist Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across Kenya and the US in accessing and obtaining business development opportunities through export promotion, joint ventures, strategy alliance and direct investment” Said Dr. Malcolm Beech, Vice President, NLB.

The National Business league is national federation of individuals, firms and associations engaged in business enterprises, with members drawn from over 37 states whose aim is to support its member’s access business opportunities in different parts of the world.

“We have received more than 200 expressions of interest from investors both local and international, who are expected to form the bulk of the pioneer investors and partners in Konza city. We have registered good interest by the private sector particularly the telecom operators and leading banks who want to locate their data centers and other ICT investments in Konza” said Eng. John Tanui, CEO KoTDA

The partnerships come a midst significant milestones in infrastructure development that has seen the construction of four kilometers of road network within the Konza city completed. A total of seven boreholes have so far been drilled and water piping has been done. Fibre connectivity from the National Optic Fibre Broadband has also commenced on site.

Over sixty U.S. companies currently operate in East Africa, including IBM, GE, Dow Chemical, Coca Cola, and Cisco. United States of America is the largest trade partner with Kenya,the trade volumes exceeding US $1.5 billion per year.