Hounen, a global leader in real estate development and solar energy manufacturing, has announced ambitious investments in Tatu City, Nairobi’s fast-growing new city and Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The company will develop over 63,000 square meters of projects, positioning Tatu City as its Sub-Saharan Africa hub.
Hounen, which has delivered successful projects across China, Indonesia, Cambodia, and the United States, selected Kenya as the launchpad for its African operations. The company’s entry is a major boost to Kenya’s strategy of leveraging Special Economic Zones to attract foreign direct investment and create sustainable employment.
The company’s projects at Tatu City SEZ include:
- 43,500 sqm mixed-use development in Tatu Central: A landmark project with four towers of 21–26 storeys that will integrate office, retail, commercial, and residential spaces to attract global investors to Kenya.
- Solar panel manufacturing plant at ALP North Logistics Park: This facility will strengthen Kenya’s renewable energy sector by boosting local solar panel production capacity.
- 1.3MW rooftop solar plant on The Link: Supporting sustainability for Tatu City’s Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) warehousing hub.
Combined, these projects are projected to generate over 2,500 direct and indirect jobs, enhancing Kenya’s renewable energy, logistics, and real estate ecosystems.
The investments were officially signed in a ceremony presided over by John Mwendwa, CEO of the Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest).
“Hounen’s arrival in Africa is yet another validation of Kenya’s investment-friendly environment, underpinned by our Special Economic Zone framework,” Mwendwa said.
Jufang Lyu, Founder and Chairwoman of Hounen, emphasized that Kenya is central to the company’s next growth phase:
“Over the last two decades, Hounen has charted an ambitious path of growth in Asia and the United States. Our entry into Africa represents the next chapter of our development, and we are pleased to make Kenya and Tatu City SEZ the hub of our investment strategy.”
Stephen Jennings, Founder and CEO of Rendeavour, the developer of Tatu City, highlighted the strategic importance of Hounen’s decision:
“Tatu City has become a global business hub, where Kenyan and multinational companies thrive in a sustainable and holistic environment, with businesses, schools, mixed-income homes, and unrivaled recreation and green spaces in one of the most beautiful countries on earth.”
Tatu City is already home to more than 100 companies, either operating or under development, including multinational investors backed by over USD 3 billion from countries such as the United States, China, United Kingdom, UAE, Norway, South Africa, and Germany, as well as global financiers like the World Bank, AfDB, British International Investment, and Norfund.
Currently, the city hosts 25,000 people daily who live, work, and study within its dynamic community.
In addition to the initial projects, Hounen has revealed intentions to expand further into real estate, with upcoming developments including a retail village and executive residences. This diversification signals confidence in the long-term growth and sustainability of Tatu City as a destination for global investors.
Hounen’s entry is more than a real estate and energy investment; it marks a strategic alignment with Kenya’s economic vision. By combining green energy solutions with modern urban development, the projects contribute directly to Kenya’s goals under Vision 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
The investments reinforce Kenya’s role as a regional gateway for multinational enterprises, while supporting domestic job creation, skills transfer, and clean energy adoption.
With this expansion, Hounen joins the growing list of global companies betting on Tatu City, cementing its place as one of Africa’s most transformative urban and industrial developments.
