Kenya hopes to create over 40,000 jobs following the launch of a Sh200 billion(US$2b) AEZ Pearl River industrial park in Uasin Gishu County.
Construction of the park is being carried out by a Chinese firm the Guangdong New South Group, in partnership with a local firm, Africa Economic Zone (AEZ).
The Africa Economic Zone Pearl River (AEZ Pearl River) is located in Plateau, Kesses sub-county, and is the first to be established under the Special Economic Zones Act, 2015.
The Africa Economic Zone is the brainchild of DL Group Companies chairman David Lagat.
It took Mr Lagat three years for him to convince the Chinese to spearhead the investments.
The project will be undertaken in three phases and is expected to be one of Africa’s tech hub offering employment and propelling economic growth and development of Uasin Gishu County and the country at large.
In the first phase of AEZ Pearl River project, the Chinese firm will supervise the construction of an industrial park that will cover 700 acres.
It will consist of various industries in agro-processing, energy, machinery, engineering, construction, electronic, ICT, chemical and pharmaceutical sectors.
The second phase will consist of a science and technology hub on an 86-acre piece of land.
The project is aimed at enhancing Kenya’s position as an industrial zone in the region.