Technical cooperation between Kenya and South Korea to build smart cities and expand digital infrastructure is being deepened through a new joint initiative, says John Tanui, principal secretary of the State Department for ICT and Digital Economy.
A delegation from the University of Seoul and the Korea Development Institute visited Nairobi to evaluate the outcomes of South Korea’s development assistance supporting Konza Technopolis.
Discussions focused on institutional support for Konza Technopolis, along with strategic execution through Korea’s Knowledge Sharing Programme, Economic Innovation Partnership Programme, and the Economic Development Cooperation Fund.
The two nations also explored expanded cooperation across digital media infrastructure and the development of the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Kenya-AIST).
“Strong partnerships with Korea will be instrumental in translating knowledge, technical expertise and development cooperation into impactful investments, innovation and sustainable growth,” says Tanui, adding that Konza Technopolis remains a strategic foundation for Kenya’s digital economy ambitions.
The government-backed Konza Technopolis Development Authority manages the master-planned, 5,000-acre flagship project located 60 kilometres southeast of Nairobi.
Digital ties between Kenya and South Korea are anchored by a multi-million-dollar technology framework designed to accelerate Kenya’s Digital Superhighway agenda. Previous
ITWeb Africa reporting notes that South Korea, through Korea Eximbank and the Export-Import Bank of Korea, has committed over $100 million in concessional loans to establish Kenya-AIST as an advanced research and innovation university modelled after the Korea's similar institute.
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