The government of Kenya has recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Korean government, aiming to foster and encourage collaborations and investments in the advancement of smart cities within the country. Under this MoU, both nations will collaborate on the construction of a minimum of 5,000 affordable homes in Mavoko, Machakos, and the Tatu City Special Economic Zone.
Furthermore, the agreement will facilitate the development of a comprehensive smart city framework, including the establishment of a smart mobility system that encompasses a network of intelligent transportation. This system will utilize smart driving licenses. The mobility plans are anticipated to fulfill the urban requirements of the Konza Technopolis.
During the ongoing 3rd Kenyan International Investment Conference (KIICO), PS John Tanui emphasized Kenya’s commitment to urban development and the significance of designing sustainable infrastructure. In the ‘Investing in Smart Cities’ session of the event, he stated that the implementation of this development will be facilitated by the existing legal and regulatory frameworks established by Kenya.
PS John Tanui further added, “We are determined to ensure that the urban development of smart cities is well guided. The Kenyan government has already established a robust enabling environment to boost its digital economy,” highlighting the government’s proactive approach to support the growth of smart cities.
The managing director of the Korean Trade Centre (KOTRA), Eom IK-Hyun, expressed the shared interests between Kenya and Korea in the field of smart cities. He stated, “Kenya and Korea have similar interests, and today we share the goal of becoming smart cities.”
It is worth mentioning that Kenya had previously signed an MoU with the Korean government last year, focusing on establishing fundamental partnerships between the two countries in the development of information and communication technology (ICT) at the Konza Technopolis. In October 2022, following the signing of the MoU, Eom expressed the Korean government’s commitment to supporting Kenya and working with the administration led by Ruto.