Her Excellency Guo Haiyan, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Kenya, today visited Tatu City, Kenya’s premier Special Economic Zone (SEZ), in a high-profile move aimed at enhancing bilateral relations, promoting industrial collaboration, and recognizing the growing footprint of Chinese enterprises in Kenya.
The visit featured site tours, direct engagements with Chinese firms operating within Tatu City, and strategic dialogue around deepening public-private partnerships between the two countries.
Tatu City has emerged as a preferred destination for Chinese investment in East Africa, with seven Chinese companies already established within the SEZ, representing a combined investment of over USD 400 million and the creation of more than 10,000 jobs across sectors.
Key Chinese enterprises operating within the zone include:
- FullCare Medical SEZ (textiles and PPE manufacturing)
- Tianlong Cylinder Company (automotive parts)
- Stecol Corporation (PowerChina) (engineering and infrastructure)
- Sinotruk Kenya (heavy-duty vehicle assembly)
- Peonystar Kenya Limited (real estate and logistics)
- Kyanite Investment (construction materials and design)
These companies are part of a broader wave of Chinese industrial players transforming Kenya’s manufacturing and logistics sectors, significantly boosting local employment, skills transfer, and export capacity.
“Tatu City showcases the true spirit of China-Kenya cooperation — practical, innovative, and focused on development,” said Ambassador Guo. “Chinese companies here are not only strengthening trade ties, but are also creating jobs, infrastructure, and meaningful value for Kenya’s industrial transformation.”
During her tour, Ambassador Guo was accompanied by Tatu City executives, including Stephen Jennings, Founder and CEO of Rendeavour, the city’s master developer.
“Over the last three years, we’ve made dozens of visits to China to better understand investor needs,” said Jennings. “We’ve built a secure, professional, and future-ready SEZ that resonates with Chinese investors who value speed, infrastructure readiness, and policy certainty.”
Tatu City’s appeal lies in its plug-and-play business model, offering:
- World-class infrastructure (roads, power, water, sewer, ICT)
- One-stop investment facilitation via a dedicated China Desk
- Fast-track regulatory approvals
- SEZ tax and duty incentives:
- 10% corporate tax for first 10 years
- 15% corporate tax for the next 10 years
- VAT zero-rating on goods/services
- Duty and stamp duty exemptions
Tatu City has taken a strategic, culturally sensitive approach to attracting Chinese enterprises:
- A dedicated China engagement team bridges language and business culture gaps
- Investors receive hands-on support during setup and expansion
- The city’s development roadmap aligns with industries of interest to Chinese companies, including:
- Renewable energy
- Textiles and garments
- Automotive and logistics
- Healthcare and pharmaceuticals
- Real estate and construction
- Electronics assembly
- Traditional Chinese medicine and food services
“We’re proud to host a diverse group of Chinese businesses that are investing in Kenya’s future,” said Jennings. “By offering integrated support and removing operational friction, we enable our investors to scale rapidly and sustainably.”
With demand growing, the number of Chinese firms at Tatu City is expected to exceed 15 by 2026. Interest continues to rise across:
- 🏭 Labor-intensive manufacturing
- 💊 Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
- 🏗️ Smart warehousing and logistics
- 🏡 Mixed-use real estate development
- 📱 Electronics assembly and innovation hubs
Tatu City is more than an industrial park — it is a 5,000-acre, master-planned city located just 30 minutes from Nairobi. With a live-work-play design, the city:
- Welcomes 25,000 people daily
- Hosts over 100 companies, including:
- Emirates Logistics, Heineken, Naivas, Dormans, CKL, NCBA, CCI Global, ADvTECH, and more
- Offers schools, healthcare, homes, retail, and green spaces
- Eliminates long commutes and congestion found in traditional cities
As Kenya’s first operational SEZ, Tatu City sets the standard for integrated economic development, offering secure, investor-friendly infrastructure and policy frameworks that attract capital from across the globe.
Ambassador Guo’s visit reflects China’s growing interest in high-impact, mutually beneficial investments in Africa, particularly in value-added manufacturing and infrastructure.
It also signals:
- Strong alignment between Chinese FDI strategy and Kenya’s industrialization agenda
- Confidence in Kenya’s SEZ policy framework and investment climate
- A shift from extractive investments to productive, employment-rich sectors
