Nairobi selected for Smart21 Communities global award

A view of the city of Nairobi. Nairobi is Africa’s only city selected as a semi-finalist among 21 cities selected worldwide to contest for the Smart21 Communities 2015 award. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• Nairobi is the only African city to appear in this list for the 2015 contest.
• It was selected for its attractiveness as a top commercial hub for various multinationals seeking to launch operations in Africa.
• Kenya’s Nairobi is placed in a group of fast growing cities together with Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro and Japan’s Shiojiri, among others.
• ICF says that the Smart21 announcement is the first stage in its annual Intelligent Community Awards cycle.

By JAMES KARIUKI
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Nairobi is Africa’s only city selected as a semi-finalist among 21 cities selected worldwide to contest for the Smart21 Communities 2015 award.

The contest is organised annually by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF).

According to dispatch to newsrooms, Nairobi with a population of 3.3 million people was selected for its attractiveness as a top commercial hub for various multinationals seeking to launch operations in Africa.

Nairobi was identified for its readiness in provision of broadband connectivity, availability of a knowledgeable workforce, innovativeness, a vibrant advocacy culture and its digital inclusiveness.

“Not all of them are cities, towns or regions that people immediately think of as ‘tech cities.’ Tech is not all there is to a great community.

“They have launched programmes that are innovative and a full-scale revolt against brain drain and the creation of industries that will produce jobs,” said the statement by the ICF.

Kenya’s Nairobi is placed in a group of fast growing cities together with Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro, Japan’s Shiojiri, Astana from Kazakhstan and New Zealand’s Whanganui city which is home to 832,000people.

“We have started the search for Toronto’s successor. More important, our analysts have selected 21 communities that have shown progress in their attempt to make the leap to Intelligent Community status.

“The Revolutionary Community theme for 2015 is perfect for this group,” said the ICF statement.

NURTURE FUTURE LEADERS

ICF noted that with the number of unemployed people rising by the day, it had mooted a contest as well as a leadership academy to help nurture future leaders as well as entrepreneurs with essential skills on the creation of quality jobs.

Others semi-finalists include four communities from Australia, four from Taiwan and three from Canada.

Nairobi continues to attract investors in various sectors seeking to cash in on the emerging oil and ICT industries as well as develop high-end residential and office facilities to meet the fast growing demand fuelled by an emerging middle class clientele.

Others joining the fray are law firms from various regions among them Coulson Horney and others who have formed linkages with local legal firms seeking to help clients clinch deals, acquire existing businesses or form mergers as they plan to launch their operations in the country.

ICF says that the Smart21 announcement is the first stage in its annual Intelligent Community Awards cycle.

ICF selects 21 finalists with the potential to become one of the Forum's Top Seven Intelligent Communities of the Year based on nominations submitted by communities from around the world.