NAIROBI, KENYA – Kenya is set to join the ranks of other technology-savvy countries with a KSh2.2 billion (US$37 million) business park commissioned by top technology company Sameer Africa.
Following a concept borrowed from Dubai, Sameer Africa will offer showrooms and office space for technology companies that do not want to invest in infrastructure. This comes at a time when the Communications Commission of Kenya is discussing infrastructure-sharing guidelines with the major players in the technology sector.
The business park, the first in East and Central Africa, will be located on Sameer Africa’s land along Mombasa Road in Nairobi, covering a tenth of the 100 acres owned by Sameer.
The company’s managing director, Eric Kimani, explained that the business park will create a new avenue of profits for Sameer Group, which is facing challenges in other divisions, such as tire manufacturing, given the rising cost of oil.
“We are certain that in 10 years the business park will surpass profit projections,” said Kimani. “This will be a profit boost for Sameer Group.”
Comprised of 30 showrooms and office spaces within five buildings, the park will cover 50,000 square meters. The main building will have six floors, as well as a helicopter pad. The facilities will be ready for occupation in 18 months.
Sameer Group has invested heavily in Kenya’s ICT sector, with Kenya Data Network as its flagship. KDN provides international gateway services and connectivity to all major ISPs (Internet service providers) in Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo.