Konza Signs Deal with Korean Firms to Establish $1.4 Million Electronics and IT Centre

Konza Technopolis has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Korea Electronic Association (KEA) to establish a $1.4M electronic and information technology manufacturing support centre in Konza. The MOU heralds a new dawn for Konza Technopolis as it enters the next phase of development.

“Korean electronics companies, through their association, will establish a manufacturing support centre enabling the various Korean companies to produce their products locally,” Konza CEO John Okwiri cited during the signing ceremony.

The Korea Electronic Association, established in 1976 brings together over 370 of Korea’s major electronics and information technology companies. Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, research institutions, and academia are part of the companies.

“We intend to establish an electronic manufacturing support centre in Konza Technopolis, capable of production of electronic products, development of appropriate and skilled workforce and provision of technical support,” CEO Chungwon further noted. 

In addition, the electronic manufacturing support centre will prototype development production assistance to research institutions, startups, SMEs, and Korean companies entering the African market.

Development of the Electronics Manufacturing Support Center in Konza

The Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) Electronics Manufacturing Support Center, to be built for Kshs180 million will be developed in 4 phases.

Other phases will include the business planning phase, the provision of training in electronics manufacturing, and the product development phase.

In addition, the manufacturing equipment and operational systems phase and expanding the operations and enterprise support systems phase.

Moreover, the business planning phase, which will take 2 years, will focus on market research and demand analysis which will involve studying the local and regional electronics manufacturing potential.

Also, it will analyze the infrastructure in Konza and explore cooperation with Korean companies. This phase also involves stakeholder consultations and cooperation and overseeing cooperation project planning.

The second phase of training and skill development will cover the development of training programs, educational materials, and manuals.

 At the same time, the field program utilizes experts which will involve the provision of on-site training and the establishment of an online education platform.

On the other hand, phase three will involve equipment setting which will include equipment selection and purchase, equipment installation, and testing.

The last phase will cover recruitment and training of the local workforce, mass production, and expansion.

The Project Timeline

“We expect this project to take between 2 to 3 years to be completed, with Korean companies starting their operations locally,” Okwiri said.

The expected outcome will include the set-up of 10 or more prototype equipment and the setting up of an electronics manufacturing support platform.

Furthermore, technological support services will include manufacturing support for 100 cases per year, design-manufacturing support for 30 cases per year, and electronic board production for 20,000 cases per year.

In addition, the centre will support product launches targeting 30 products per year with a reduced average production period of 6 months while targeting to train 100 people and support over 100 businesses.

Also Read: Ruto Seals Ksh31 Billion Deal in South Korea

The Korean Companies Targeting Set Up at Konza

The Korean companies targeting to set up include xVic which produces portable golf aiming guides, Beaunex, producers of facial masks, and Atech Net, makers of holographic imaging devices.

Others include Dooni Corp makers of sound effectors, Illumino makers of UV LED portable counterfeit detectors, Rollingseeds, makers of simple UX game consoles.

Also, Share & Share produces smart door locks, Goonies manufactures smart edutainment devices, and Sonic Dutch Korea manufacturers coffee extractors.

“Our key focus is to build business-friendly cooperation and assist local innovators and entrepreneurs in accelerating the adoption of AI in their production processes,” Park said. Additionally, secures the global supply chain, and creates a healthy ecosystem for ICT industries.

Also Read: KeNHA, ODPP & Konza Technopolis Announces Job Opportunities

Konza Technopolis Project

This project is a key flagship project of Kenya’s Vision 2030 economic development blueprint that aims to transform Kenya into a middle-income country with higher standards of living for Kenyans.

It’s tasked with developing a thriving sustainable smart city and a vibrant innovation ecosystem contributing to Kenya’s knowledge economy.

As well as contribute to the transformation of the Kenyan economy into a digitally driven economy.

“Konza Technopolis has a light manufacturing band which targets to host light manufacturing businesses such as electronic and IT manufacturing,” Okwiri reiterated.

Further, he affirms that Konza is delighted to invite Korean electronic and IT companies, which are world-class and cutting-edge technology and products to set up their operations.

Konza Technopolis is a major beneficiary of Korean-funded projects which include the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Ke-AIST) modeled after the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).

Similarly, the Konza Media City project received Kshs38 billion during the recently held Korea-Africa Summit in June.

In addition, under the Economic Innovation Partnership Program (EIPP) organized by the Korea Development Cooperation Office (KOTRA), Konza Technopolis identified 10 projects to be funded for $1 billion.

These projects include the Konza-Nairobi Corridor Transport Network and the proposed dualling of the Machakos turn-off to Emali among others.

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