Kifaru Exim Special Economic Zone (SEZ), a newly designated business hub within Tatu City, Kiambu County, has officially been launched to provide state-of-the-art warehousing facilities aimed at integrating small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) into Kenya’s special economic zones
Modern Warehousing for SMEs
The development, covering a total of 10,165 square meters of Grade A space, offers warehouses with up to 1,229 square meters leasable area available for long-term lease at USD 4.5 per square meter per month. The facilities are expected to support import and export-oriented businesses by offering competitive and reliable industrial space.
Unlocking SME Manufacturing Potential
Kifaru Exim SEZ Director Mr. Kalpesh Shah said the project seeks to empower SMEs to benefit from fiscal and administrative incentives available under SEZs in Kenya.
“Our vision is that Kifaru Exim SEZ will integrate eligible SMEs into the SEZ who can potentially benefit from the incentives. The underlying philosophy is to unlock the manufacturing potential of SMEs and ensure their products are competitive in terms of price, quality, and timely availability compared to imports,” he said.
Government Endorsement and Job Creation
The Principal Secretary, State Department of Investments, Abubakar Hassan Abubakar, highlighted the project’s broad socio-economic benefits.
“The impacts will include wealth creation, reduced imports, increased exports, job creation, raised SME revenues and government revenues. At full occupancy, we estimate 600 direct jobs and more than 1,800 indirect jobs will be created,” he noted.
SEZA and KAM Pledge Support
Speaking at the event, Dr. Keneth Chelule, CEO of the Special Economic Zones Authority (SEZA), commended the initiative and emphasized SEZA’s role in ensuring regulatory predictability and quality infrastructure.
Similarly, Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) CEO, Tobias Alando, reiterated KAM’s commitment to supporting manufacturers through policy advocacy, trade facilitation, and investment promotion.
SME Support Centre Partnership
To streamline SME integration into the SEZ, Kifaru Exim has partnered with the SME Support Centre (SSC) to help identify and select eligible enterprises. SSC CEO, Ms. Linda Onyango, lauded the initiative as a milestone in SME empowerment.
“This is a great step towards integrating SMEs into SEZs in Kenya and enhancing their competitiveness,” she said.
Driving Industrial Growth
The launch of Kifaru Exim SEZ signals renewed efforts to expand Kenya’s manufacturing base by strengthening SME participation in industrial growth, export expansion, and job creation through special economic zones.