Konza Technopolis has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Korea Electronic Association (KEA) to establish a $1.4 million electronic manufacturing support center. The agreement, inked on October 15 in Nairobi, is a pivotal step in Konza’s development as a tech hub.
John Paul Okwiri, representing Konza Technopolis, stated, “This MOU heralds a new dawn for Konza Technopolis as we enter the next phase of development whereby Korean electronic companies, through their association, will establish a manufacturing support center enabling the various Korean companies to produce their products locally.”
The KEA, founded in 1976, represents over 370 of Korea’s major electronics and IT companies, including industry giants Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics. The association plans to leverage this partnership to enter the African market while supporting local innovation.
Dr. Chungwon Park, CEO and President of KEA, outlined the project’s scope, saying, “We intend to establish an electronic manufacturing support center in Konza Technopolis, capable of production of electronic products, development of appropriate and skilled workforce, and provision of technical support, prototype development production assistance to research institutions, startups, SMEs and Korean companies entering the African market.”
The project, valued at 180 million Kenyan shillings, will unfold in four phases over 2-3 years:
- Business Planning (2 years): Market research, demand analysis, and stakeholder consultations.
- Training and Skill Development: Creating educational programs and establishing an online education platform.
- Equipment Setup: Selection, purchase, installation, and testing of manufacturing equipment.
- Operation Expansion: Recruiting and training local workforce, initiating mass production.
Upon completion, the center aims to support 100 manufacturing cases annually, provide design-manufacturing support for 30 cases per year, and produce 20,000 electronic boards annually. It also targets launching 30 products per year, reducing the average production period to six months, training 100 people, and supporting over 100 businesses.
Several Korean companies are on track to establish operations in Konza, including xVic (portable golf aiming guides), Beaunex (facial masks), and Atech Net (holographic imaging devices). The diverse range of products spans from smart doorlocks and fitness gaming devices to AI-functional memory foam pillows and eco-friendly portable water warmers.
This partnership aligns with Konza Technopolis’ role as a flagship project in Kenya’s Vision 2030 economic development plan. The tech city seeks to foster a thriving innovation ecosystem and contribute to Kenya’s transformation into a digitally driven, middle-income economy.
The collaboration builds on existing Korean-funded projects in Konza, including the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Ke-AIST) and the Konza Media City project. Additionally, under the Economic Innovation Partnership Program, Konza has identified 10 projects for potential funding, totaling $1 billion.
