INTRODUCTION

Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) the implementing agency of Konza Technopolis has put forward an expression of interest to bid as a host country for the IASP global conference in the year 2024. Your interest and support will be highly appreciated.

{ KoTDA seeks to develop a sustainable

smart city and an innovation ecosystem }

Why Kenya?

As one of Africa’s fastest-growing and market-based economies, Kenya is regarded as the
economic, commercial, financial, and logistics hub of East Africa, which has transformed
it into a lower-middle-income country.

• Kenya’s economic development is hinged upon its long-term development blueprint,
  Vision 2030, aims at transforming the country into an industrialized middle-income country by the year 2030.
  Kenya’s Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) sector have played a key role in the
  country’s economic development and transformation into a knowledge-based economy.
• Kenya is also aware of and implements key international development agendas such
  as the EAC Industrial Strategy 2012-2032, the African Union Agenda 2063, and the
  United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Kenya has numerous attractive factors:

• Kenya continues to prioritize maintaining a stable political environment that guarantees
  a good investment and event-hosting climate.
• Globally, Kenya is recognized as one of the best tourism destinations, due to its tropical climate and rich wildlife environment, hosting the Big Five.
• Visitors have a unique opportunity to attend a world-class conference as well as visit the natural wildlife within the city.
• Boosting its hosting events, Kenya has a rich history of having hosted international events such as International World Athletics Under 20 (2021), The Sustainable Blue Economy Conference (2018), and TICAD VI (2016), which have all been extremely successful.
• Another first on the African Continent, Kenya has established the manufacturing of semiconductor chips used in smartphones, tablets, and other electronics products.
  This puts Kenya in a strategic position to revitalize its manufacturing industry. The chips are now being increasingly used in new technologies such as electric cars and 5G phones.
• The country spearheads the African Market in ICT, featuring one of the fastest internet accesses in Sub-Saharan Africa, and is a global leader in Mobile-related services such as mobile money

WHY KONZA?

In the African context, Konza Technopolis is featured as “Africa’s Silicon Savanah,” which is a flagship project of Kenya’s Vision 2030, and it aims to contribute to the development of Kenya’s knowledge-based economy and innovation ecosystem.
Konza, Kenya’s smart city, offers a variety of advantages and opportunities, making it an appealing destination for the IASP World conference.

• Kenya is considered an entry point to East Africa, with unrivaled air, rail, and road system. Konza Technopolis is strategically positioned within 70 kilometers of Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi. It is easily accessible from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, complemented by the Nairobi-Mombasa highway and the Nairobi-Expressway which improves connectivity between Konza and the airport and other key cities.

Q1. What has Konza’s contribution and participation in IASP conferences been like?

A. Kenya has a rich history having hosted international events such as the International World Athletics Under 20 (2021), The Sustainable Blue Economy Conference (2018), and TICAD VI (2016), which have all been extremely successful.
B. Konza has actively been involved in hosting the previous IASP events including:

• During the wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, Konza successfully hosted a 2021 IASP African conference with a record attendance of over 450 participants spread across over 20 countries. 
• Additionally, Konza hosted the IASP Division Conference 2022 themed, “Science and Technology Parks & Areas of Innovation as Catalysts for Sustainable Growth in Africa” which convened over 500 industry players drawn from the continent
  and abroad.

Q4.  What measures has the Kenyan government put in place to combat COVID-19?

Following the ease of the COVID-19 infection in 2022, the Kenyan government revised the measures put in place to contain the spread of the Corona Virus in accordance with the guidelines from the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

• In particular, Kenya is working on full vaccination of its citizens by end of December 2022. 
• Guidelines have been issued to the public on wearing masks in public and crowded areas including indoor functions and the exercise of general personal responsibility. 
• Finally, all eligible unvaccinated travelers arriving at any point of entry into Kenya must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result conducted not more than 72 hours
  before departure regardless of the route of entry. Also, the unvaccinated travelers shall be subjected to a rapid antigen test.

Q3. How will the IASP Global Conference impact destination?

Hosting the IASP Global conference within the African continent and specifically in Kenya will present a myriad of opportunities and advantages. Some of the key takeaways from hosting the conference are as highlighted below:
A. Kenya’s Economic Visibility

• Kenya will have an exemplary opportunity to showcase its economic prowess.
• The conference will also enhance Kenya’s National branding and boost its national confidence and international stand from a global perspective.

B. Investor Attraction to Konza Technopolis

The conference provides Konza with an indelible opportunity to facilitate business matchmaking, long-term investments, increased collaboration with other STP/AOIs, and international funding attractions.
C. Academic Impact

There is a high likelihood of joint value-added research and development initiatives among science technology parks (STP) and Areas of Innovation (AOI) at this year’s conference. This will increase skill sets, talent development, and technology transfer.
D. Spurring the Local Economy

The conference is expected to have a huge impact on the local economy, with
increased hotel occupancy, higher spending, etc. which translates to an increase in temporary jobs to cater to the large numbers.
E. Positive Impact on the Tourism Industry

Kenya is a world-famous tourist destination and the kind of international and media attraction the conference presents will offer a boost to the tourism sector

F. Impact on the Innovation Ecosystem

The conference will draw players from the domestic, regional, and international
ecosystems, sparking renewed interest in promoting and developing disruptive
innovations that will ultimately accelerate the country’s and the African region’s
transformative economic development