Kenya and the Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM) have advanced discussions on the proposed Digital Media City (DMC) at Konza Technopolis following a recent due diligence mission and subsequent high-level engagements. The talks, involving the Technopolis Development Authority (TDA) and the Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy, focused on project progress, next steps and potential deeper cooperation.
Principal Secretary for ICT and Digital Economy, Eng. John Tanui, received a KEXIM delegation led by Executive Director Yongjin Jeong after the bank’s team completed its assessment at Konza. The mission reviewed readiness for the Digital Media City infrastructure project and agreed on continued engagement to move the initiative forward.
Discussions also explored opportunities for collaboration in emerging areas such as AI data centres and other strategic digital infrastructure. Tanui described the engagement as a reflection of Kenya’s commitment to developing bankable, future-ready digital infrastructure while strengthening the Kenya–Korea partnership to unlock investment, innovation, skills and jobs.
The Digital Media City is planned as a 160-acre hub within Konza Technopolis, designed to house multimedia academies, state-of-the-art post-production facilities and digital innovation spaces. Officials have positioned it as Africa’s largest creative hub, intended to bridge local talent with global media markets and expand the contribution of Kenya’s creative industries to the economy.
Kenya signed a financing agreement with Korea in June 2024 for approximately $284 million (about KSh 30.8 billion at the time) under the Economic Innovation Partnership Program (EIPP). The project is expected to serve as an anchor for Phase Two of Konza Technopolis development.
In parallel, the Technopolis Development Authority hosted a separate KEXIM delegation led by Executive Director Lee Dong-hoon. Talks covered financing and grant opportunities for priority infrastructure, including roads, a bio-vaccine facility and the Digital Media City, as well as operationalisation, governance and investor outreach strategies for the creative hub.
Konza Technopolis, Kenya’s flagship smart city under Vision 2030, continues to attract international partnerships aimed at building the Silicon Savannah. Recent engagements with Korean counterparts build on earlier knowledge-sharing programmes focused on media content development and smart city planning.
Officials emphasised that converting these discussions into tangible projects will support Kenya’s digital economy goals, create jobs and position the country as a regional leader in creative and technology services. Further technical and financial steps are expected as the parties work toward finalising arrangements for the Digital Media City.
