The University of Nairobi (UoN) has unveiled its ambitious Engineering and Science Complex (ESC), a cornerstone of the Silicon Savannah Innovation Park aimed at propelling Kenya into a global technology and innovation hub. Located at the university’s Chiromo Campus, the project is expected to be completed within 18 months and is part of a broader initiative to position Kenya as a leader in artificial intelligence, green engineering, and advanced manufacturing.
The Sh4.7 billion (€35 million) project, backed by the French government through the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), is one of five major infrastructure projects under UoN’s “Big 5” transformation strategy. Initially proposed in 2015, the ESC is designed to address 21st-century challenges in science and engineering while contributing to Kenya’s Vision 2030, which aims to elevate the country to middle-income status.
“This project is more than just infrastructure,” said President William Ruto during the launch at State House. “It’s an investment in Kenya’s youth and a platform to drive the country’s digital economy. The Silicon Savannah Innovation Park will position Kenya as a global leader in the 5th Industrial Revolution.”
The ESC will focus on nurturing the next generation of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) professionals, with a particular emphasis on empowering young women. In collaboration with Université Paris-Saclay, CentraleSupélec, and ParisTech, the project aims to foster academic excellence, cutting-edge research, and industry partnerships.
Once completed, the ESC will feature a state-of-the-art, environmentally sustainable building spanning 30,000 square meters, designed to meet the environmental standards of the 2015 Paris Agreement. The facility will house advanced research centers, innovation hubs, and collaborative spaces to link academia with private sector partners.
A €30 million concessional loan from AFD will finance the building’s construction and initial equipment, while an additional €5 million grant will support curriculum development, research collaborations, and a gender program to increase women’s participation in STEM fields.
“The ESC is the largest French-funded science and education project in Sub-Saharan Africa,” said UoN. “It embodies a commitment to academic excellence, practical training, and innovation with a global perspective.”
Beyond infrastructure, the ESC aims to reshape Kenya’s economic landscape by driving job creation in emerging fields like AI, Industry 4.0, health technology, and sustainable engineering. “Our youth are Africa’s greatest resource,” President Ruto emphasized. “This park will not only create jobs but also redefine Kenya’s economic DNA by anchoring a robust technology ecosystem within a premier institution.”
The project reflects the growing partnership between France and Kenya in higher education and research. With the ESC, the University of Nairobi seeks to elevate Kenya’s status as a hub for innovation, positioning the country to lead Africa into a new era of technological and economic transformation.