Smart tech to power Konza services, says CEO

Corporate News

Konza City. Kenya’s leading ICT players are expected to form the bulk of pioneer investors and partners in Konza Techno City. PHOTO | FILE 

By OKUTTAH MARK

In Summary

• The Techno City will use a single converged Internet Protocol (IP) network as the platform to plan, build, and manage day-to-day city operations. 
• The city will host the Konza Campus, a shared ICT platform for education systems for both local and international universities.
• Upon completion of Phase 1, Konza City is expected to create over 20,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Konza City Technopolis is betting on the use of smart technology solutions to enhance the city’s efficiency and integrate infrastructure and services.

John Tanui, CEO Konza Technopolis Development Authority, said smart concepts will be designed into the city using the most modern Internet and telecommunications networks. 

The city will use a single converged Internet Protocol (IP) network as the platform to plan, build, and manage day-to-day city operations. 

“The Konza IP network will allow for significant new efficiency in every aspect of life within Konza, enhancing productivity, improving availability of and access to public services,” said Mr Tanui.

“Smart technology in Konza City will be integrated in transportation operations, sanitary collection, treatment and re-use operations, storm drainage operations, water system operations, electrical system, e-Governance data centres, security parking and Informational signage landscaping,” he added.

Mr Tanui further noted that the smart technology integration was benchmarked from best practices of smart cities globally and would create “added value by improving efficiency, enhancing economic potential, reduced costs, opening the door to new business and services, and improving the living conditions of Konza City citizens.”

The Techno City will host the Konza Campus, a shared ICT platform for education systems for both local and international universities.

Kenya’s leading ICT players are expected to form the bulk of pioneer investors and partners in Konza, with good interest registered by telecom operators and leading banks to locate their data centres and other ICT investments to Konza.

Upon completion of Phase 1, Konza City is expected to create over 20,000 direct and indirect jobs.

The technopolis is expected to host various amenities including ICT research centres, a university complex, offices, residential houses and parks.

The project is being implemented as a public private partnership, in which the Government will take a minimal role, developing the public infrastructure and regulatory guidelines.