The governments of Kenya and Korea have started four Economic Innovation Partnership Program (EIPP) projects to advance the Konza Technopolis project more quickly.

PHOTO | COURTESY Dr Eliud Owalo At Serena Park Hotel during the launch of EIPP between Kenya and  South Korea

The development of Konza Technopolis's startup ecosystem, the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) and Integrated Control Center, Smart Logistics in Konza, and the Konza-Nairobi Corridor Transport Network Development are among the EIPP initiatives for the two nations' second year.

Following the successful completion of the first EIPP projects in March 2022, which included the creation of a transportation network and clever mobility strategies that fulfil the city's urban functions, the year two EIPP projects were launched. These projects included the development of a master plan for a smart city, a feasibility study for an integrated control centre focusing on security operations, and creating a master plan for a smart city.

Eliud Owalo, Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication, and the Digital Economy, spoke at the inaugural event in Nairobi and praised the development of the bilateral collaboration while pointing out that the EIPP projects will help advance the government's plan for the digital economy.

PHOTO | COURTESY ICT CS Eliud Owalo at a past event

According to e, "The initiative represents yet another significant turning point in the growth of Konza Technopolis and for Kenya's transformation through technology and innovation. After the signature of the governing MOU and the successful implementation of Year One Projects under the program last year, this launch took place today.

Konza Technopolis has identified some candidate projects for consideration. I'm happy to report that four more projects have been approved for implementation during the second year of the development program, and the CS continued.

He mentioned how eager the Kenya Kwanza government is to establish alliances that will accelerate the socioeconomic change of the nation, particularly in the digital economy.

The CS also mentioned that as part of the government's commitment to promoting innovation and technology in the nation, 3,000 government services are now accessible to the E-citizen.

The Director General of the Development Cooperation Office (KOTRA), Park Chul Ho, praised the relationships between the Korean and Kenyan governments and said that the Korean government is pleased to have had a successful first year of the program and is looking forward to a successful second year of project implementation.

PHOTO | COURTESY Ongoing construction at Konza City

The government is committed to supporting the project, especially in the development of the road infrastructure to the smart city as part of the larger national infrastructure development for the country, according to Eng. John Mbugua, Principal Secretary State Department for Roads, was also present during the event.

The Korean government's extended cooperation grant program, or EIPP, aims to strengthen partnerships between partner nations and Korea. It is a grant in kind.

By encouraging policy recommendations for system reform and implementing specified projects, EIPP maximizes business effectiveness.

The program focuses on creating mid and long-term development strategies, bettering laws and systems, planning infrastructure, and developing financing plans. It supports two to three projects annually for a maximum of three years.

The Korea Trade-Investment & Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and the Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA), acting on behalf of the governments of Korea and Kenya, respectively, will carry out the 2022–23 Kenya–Korea EIPP.