Kenya is strengthening its partnership with South Korea in the development of smart and modern cities, marking a new chapter in its infrastructure growth agenda. The collaboration, led through the Korea Overseas Infrastructure and Urban Development Cooperation (KIND), aims to leverage South Korea’s global expertise in smart urban planning and sustainable development. This initiative aligns with Kenya’s broader ambition to position itself as a hub for innovation, efficient infrastructure, and digital transformation across Africa.
During a meeting between John Tanui, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy, and Ji Hye Choi, Managing Director of KIND Africa Office, discussions focused on how KIND can support Kenya in implementing smart city projects through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). The South Korean agency, KIND, is known for helping nations structure and deliver large-scale infrastructure projects that combine government and private sector resources to maximize efficiency and innovation.
Tanui highlighted that this collaboration is timely, as Kenya prepares to launch its new National Infrastructure Fund (NIF). The NIF is expected to transform how the country finances major developments by mobilizing both local and international investment. It will focus on critical sectors such as transport, energy, water systems, and urban development, with the goal of reducing dependence on borrowing while increasing the role of private investment and sustainable financing.
According to Tanui, the partnership with KIND has the potential to unlock new opportunities for job creation, technological advancement, and improved quality of life through the construction of smarter, interconnected urban spaces. This cooperation also builds on Kenya and South Korea’s ongoing ICT collaboration, which includes landmark projects such as the Konza Technopolis—a flagship smart city designed to drive Kenya’s innovation and knowledge economy.
In a related engagement, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy, William Gitau, met with South African technology leader Andile Ngcaba to discuss the national connectivity programme. The initiative aims to deploy 100,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable, establish 25,000 public Wi-Fi hotspots, and develop digital hubs across the country. Ngcaba emphasized the importance of local capacity building and community participation, while Gitau reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for private sector-led digital transformation.
